CAPTAIN EDWIN A. CARDENAS

Captain Edwin A. Cardenas is the Operations Flight Commander at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 775, University of South Carolina. He is responsible for the training, development, and mentorship for a Cadet Wing of about 80 cadets. Through personalized instruction and training he fosters over 280 hours of advanced learning as cadets pursue their commission.

Capt Cardenas was commissioned in 2016 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduating from California State University, San Bernardino, with a degree in Arabic. He earned his Master’s degree in Cyber Security Policy from Regent University in 2021.

Capt Cardenas has diversity in cyber experience, starting his career in a Communications Squadron supporting Joint Base San Antonio’s 84,000 personnel, and 266 mission partners. After earning his certification as a Host Analyst on the Cyber Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter “Interceptor” weapon system he served as 901 Cyber Protection Team’s Cyber Planner. Here he directed tactical mission planning and execution and provided strategically relevant targets to United States Space Command for defensive cyber operations. Following, he was the Flight Commander for 92 Cyber Protection Team, where he led 39 cyber and intelligence Airmen in providing agile and maneuverable defensive cyber capabilities directly to the Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network, its 46 subordinate agencies, and their commanders.

EDUCATION

2016 Bachelor of Arts, Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture, California State University, San Bernardino
2021 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Master of Science, Cyber Security Policy, Regent University, Va.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. August 2016 – March 2018, Cyberspace Operations Officer, 502nd Communications Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland, Texas
2. March 2018 – September 2018, Undergraduate Cyber Student, 333rd Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Mississippi
3. September 2018 – November 2019, Deputy Flight Commander, Operations Flight, 502nd Communications Squadron, JBSA Lackland, Texas
4. November 2019 – March 2020, Initial Qualification Training Student, 39th Information Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
5. March 2020 – June 2021, Mission Element Lead, 901 Cyber Protection Team, 837th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois
6. June 2021 – September 2022, Cyberspace Operations Planner, 901 Cyber Protection Team, 837th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois
7. September 2022 – July 2023, Flight Commander, 92 Cyber Protection Team, 837th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois
8. July 2023 – August 2024, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Detachment 775, University of South Carolina, Columbia
9. September 2024 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Operations Flight Commander, AFROTC Detachment 775, University of South Carolina, Columbia

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant June 19, 2016
First Lieutenant July 23, 2018
Captain July 23, 2020

(Current as of October 2025)