Col. Gilbert Brian Eddy: A Legacy of Leadership, Honor, and Service

Col. Gilbert Brian Eddy, age 55, dedicated 29 years of honorable service to the United States Air Force. His military career was defined by steadfast leadership, global assignments and an unwavering commitment to supporting the well-being of service members because so many of his assignments were joint and their families. Today, he continues that mission through his work at BondFire Ranch, a nonprofit that he founded to serve military, veterans and first responders.

Col Eddy was born on June 17, 1970, in Livonia, Michigan, and he is the son of Gilbert M. Eddy and Elizabeth M. Blom. He was reared in Farmington Hills, MI, Schaumburg, IL, and Lake Wylie, SC, where the values of service and sacrifice were instilled from a young age. His mother’s experiences surviving Nazi occupation in Amsterdam during World War II, which left a profound impact on his worldview and deepened his resolve to serve. After graduating from Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, NC, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of South Carolina and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program on May 6, 1992.

As a Force Support/Services Officer, Col. Eddy led a wide range of mission-critical programs in personnel management, morale, recreation, mortuary affairs and family readiness. His decorated career reflects his exceptional leadership and dedication.

Col Eddy’s major awards and decorations are:

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three oak leaf clusters

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Iraq Campaign Ribbon with two bronze stars

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Korean Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Humanitarian Service Medal

Col Eddy’s professional education included:

Officer School, Maxwell AFB (1997)

Command and Staff College, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Maxwell AFB (2006)

Air War College, by correspondence (2008).

Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management, Trident University (2010)

Col Eddy’s early Career encompassed assignments at Langley AFB, VA. Plattsburgh AFB, NY, and Anderson AFB, Guam, where he supported Operation Pacific Haven. He later served at Hickam AFB, HI, Fairfield AFB, WA, and Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. where he contributed to the national programs in Air Force fitness and sports as well as legislative affairs.

His service included multiple overseas deployments, including to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2001 and 2003), Qatar and Iraq (2003) and Iraq (2005)—each placing him at the forefront of contingency and combat operations in support of U.S. and coalition forces.

Col Eddy held several command positions including:

1. Commander, 20th and 436th Services Squadrons

2. Deputy Commander, 65th Mission Support Group, Lajes Field, Azores

3. Section Head, Policy and Plans, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Belgium 4. Director of Installation Support, Joint Base San Antonio, TX.

5. Commander, 18th Force Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan

In the final chapter of his active duty career, Col Eddy served as Commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) at Dover AFB, DE, from 2019 to 2021—a role that marked his second leadership assignment at the Port Mortuary having previously led mortuary operations as Commander of the 436th Services Squadron (2007–2009). At AFMAO, he directed the Department of Defense’s only port mortuary overseeing the dignified return of fallen service members. Throughout his career including assignments as a base mortuary officer, Col. Eddy honored over 2,000 fallen heroes ensuring each was returned with dignity, honor and respect while providing care, services and support to grieving families.

After retiring from active duty on October 1, 2021, Col. Eddy founded BondFire Ranch, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Clanton, Alabama, to continue his lifelong mission of service. The Ranch provides healing outdoor experiences for military personnel (active duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees), veterans, and first responders. Programs include equine-assisted learning, hiking, fishing, camping, crafting and traditional bonfires—offering a space for meaningful, tech-free connections that build resilience and restore relationships.

“Service has always been more than a career—it was a calling rooted in family, history, and purpose,” Col. Eddy shared. “Though I retired from active duty, the mission continues. Through BondFire Ranch, I carry forward that same spirit of service, now focused on healing and strengthening those who have borne the weight of military and first responder life.”

Personal Life and Legacy

Col Eddy lives in Clanton with his wife, Chairidy, and two of their four children. He is a proud member of American Legion Post 6 and First Methodist Church of Clanton. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor life and leading programs at the Ranch. Reflecting on his legacy, he said, “I want future generations to know that I gave my life to serve others—in uniform and beyond—and that I built something lasting to help the next generation of heroes and their families to heal and to thrive.”