Col. (Dr.) Michael Bradley Brough is the Command Surgeon, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He directs a staff of 64 personnel and is responsible for establishing, coordinating, and sustaining a health care system for AFSOC personnel, and for organizing, training and equipping AFSOC medical forces in support of worldwide contingency operations. As the air component surgeon to US Special Operations Command, he plans the execution of all medical support for Air Force Special Operations Forces and serves as the principal Air Force medical service advisor to USSOCOM.
Col. Brough commissioned into the Air Force through the Health Professions Scholarship program in 2002. Since graduation from medical school, he has served as a Resident and Staff Physician, Flight Surgeon and Chief of Aerospace Medicine. Col Brough has commanded at the squadron and group levels and is a graduate of the National War College. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Chief of Staff for Air Force Medical Command.
Col. Brough is board certified in both Family and Aerospace Medicine. As a Chief Flight Surgeon, he has more than 550 hours in a variety of aircraft, and has deployed four times in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, ATLANTIC RESOLVE and DEEP FREEZE.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
2006 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.
2008 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Brooks City Base, Texas
2009 Family Medicine Residency, University of Nebraska/Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Neb.
2011 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Master of Public Health, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
2017 Certified Physician Executive, American Association for Physician Leaders, Tampa, Fla.
2018 Air War College, by correspondence
2018 Aerospace Medicine Residency, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2021 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Ft. Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2002 - June 2006, Medical Student, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.
2. July 2006 - June 2009, Resident, University of Nebraska Family Medicine Residency, 55th Medical Operations Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
3. July 2009 - June 2012, Urgent Care Physician, 35th Medical Operations Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan (July 2011 - February 2012, Senior Medical Advisor, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan)
4. July 2012 - June 2015, Flight Surgeon, 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany (October 2012 - December 2012, Flight Surgeon, 870th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Souda Bay, Greece; May 2014 - July 2014, Flight Surgeon, 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Lask, Poland)
5. July 2015 - June 2016, Graduate Student, Master of Public Health, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
6. July 2016 - June 2018, Resident, Aerospace Medicine Residency, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. July 2018 - July 2020, Commander, 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Chief of Aerospace Medicine, 35th Medical Group, Misawa AB, Japan (September 2019 - November 2019, Flight Surgeon, 13th Air Expeditionary Group, McMurdo Station, Antarctica)
8. August 2020 - June 2021, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C.
9. July 2021 - June 2023, Commander, 374th Medical Group and U.S. Forces Japan / 5th AF Command Surgeon, Yokota AB, Japan
10. July 2023 - July 2025, Commander, 96th Medical Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
11. July 2025 - June 2026, Chief of Staff, Air Force Medical Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Va.
12. July 2025 - present, Command Surgeon, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Chief Flight Surgeon
Flight hours: 567 hours
Aircraft flown: C-5, C-12, C-17, C-21, C-37, C-130J, C-146, F-16, KC-135, LC-130, P-8, T-37, T-38, UH-1
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 USAFE Personnel Reliability Program Competent Medical Authority of the Year
2014 USAFE Flight Surgeon of the Year
2014 USAF Operational Flight Surgeon Safety Award
2019 PACAF Team Aerospace of the Year
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians
Associate Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 5, 2002
Captain April 29, 2006
Major April 29, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel May 30, 2017
Colonel May 31, 2021
(Current as of June 2026)