Lt. Col. Kyle J. Maki, Commander, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Kyle J. Maki, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, is an accomplished Aviation Officer who received his commission from the University of Tennessee – Martin in May 2006. Following his commission, he completed flight training and the AH-64D Apache Longbow Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Over a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades, LTC Maki has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both staff and command positions, including multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan. In 2008, he served as an Attack Platoon Leader and Executive Officer with Alpha Company, 1-82 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, deploying to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He subsequently commanded Bravo Company, 1-82 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, deploying his unit alongside Task Force Saber, 1-17 Cavalry Squadron. Upon redeployment, he served as the Brigade Battle Captain and Future Operations Officer for the 82d Combat Aviation Brigade.
LTC Maki was selected for the prestigious Project Warrior Program in 2013, serving as an Observer Controller/Trainer at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, and later managing the Aviation Captains Career Course at Fort Rucker. Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College in 2017, he served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, as the Brigade Aviation Officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the Battalion Operations Officer for 1-10 Attack Battalion, deploying Task Force Dragon to Afghanistan.
Since 2021, LTC Maki has contributed to modernization efforts at Fort Rucker within the Army Futures Command, serving as Chief of Concepts, Military Deputy of the Aviation Capabilities and Integration Directorate, and Operations Officer of the Future Capability Directorate.
His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal (2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Air Medal (NUM2), Combat Action Badge, and Master Army Aviation Badge. He has three daughters: Elizabeth, Hannah, and Aria.