Colonel Nikolai received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989. He has extensive combat, tactical, and operational experience with more than 2,800 flying hours, including more than 260 combat hours earned during Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM.
His assignments have included the following duties: F-16 Weapons Instructor Course Pilot, Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, Chief of Wing Weapons and Tactics, Chief of Squadron Standardization and Evaluation, Chief of 11 Air Force Weapons and Tactics, Operations Officer, Director of Staff, F-16 Squadron Commander and Deputy Group Commander. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as Chief of the Weapon Systems Liaison Division of the Secretary of the Air Force's Legislative Liaison Office, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
