Lt. Colonel Brad Broemmel, son of Bo and Judy Broemmel of Marion, retired from the United States Air Force June 10, 2008, following a distinguished career.

“We are incredibly proud of Brad’s accomplishments,” Judy Broemmel said. “We also recognize how important it was for him to have the support of his wife and family during his career.”

Broemmel and his wife Priscilla will make their home in Bristow, Va. with their seven children.

Broemmel began his military career as a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program at Notre Dame University in 1981.

Upon his graduation in 1985, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned to Air Force Plant Representative at Hughes Aircraft in California. During that assignment, he served as the missile systems project manager supporting the AMRAAM and Maverick tactical missile development programs.

In June of 1989, Broemmel joined the System Program Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Special Projects. While assigned there, he served as a program manager and space system engineer on a classified national security program where he led the development of two advanced spacecraft and led launch preparations and early orbit checkout for a third.

May of 1991, Broemmel attended Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Beginning June of 1993, Broemmel was transferred to Special Projects’ Operating Division where he served as a mission planner and Mission Director for operations supplying vital information to national decision makers and military forces.

In June 1996, Broemmel was reassigned to Headquarters Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, where he served with the Space Control Mission Team, first as Chief, Advanced Concepts section, then went on to serve as Program Element Monitor for the space control mission.

In July 2001, Broemmel was assigned to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida as the Director of Operations for the 45th Operational Support Squadron. His assignment included directing airfield operations and range support and manned spacelift crew training programs.

A year later he was placed in command of the first Space Launch Complex 17, launching five Global Positioning System satellites aboard the Delta II rocket. His squadron also supported Positioning System satellites aboard the Delta II rocket. His squadron also supported four NASA deep space mission, including the Mars Rovers and Spitzer Space Telescope.

In 2004, Broemmel was assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office in Washington, D.C., as the deputy director of advanced plans, Systems Engineering and Advanced Technology.

He retired as Director, Command and Control Division Space Systems Program Officer.
During his military career Broemmel was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, first oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.