As commander, Col. Ayyar is responsible for the combined efforts of all operations and support activities associated with McGuire's global air mobility and combat support missions. The aircraft assigned - 32 KC-10s and 13 C-17s - participate in aerial refueling and airland missions that support national security objectives, combat operations and humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. The colonel is responsible for more than 10,000 Active-duty, Guard and Reserve Air Force members, and a civilian work force exceeding 1,700.

Colonel Ayyar is a 1987 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and has served in a variety of positions in Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Pacific Air Forces. He served as the first exchange instructor pilot to the Indian Air Force and commanded the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord AFB, Wash.

In 2002 Colonel Ayyar was selected as a White House Fellow, one of the two Indians among the 13 chosen, a list of which was announced by US President George W Bush. He served in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Following the White House Fellowship, Colonel Ayyar attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University, Ft McNair, Va. He then served as the Commander USTRANSCOM's Senior Representative to the Commander, United States Central Command and Commander, United States Special Operations Command. Before assuming his current position in 2007, he served as Vice Commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND.

While serving in Virginia, Ayyar completed a NESA Senior Executive Course on South Asia, followed by a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Resource Management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces from National Defense University.

Ayyar holds a Command Pilot Rating with more than 3,500 hours. He is quailed in the T-37 and T-38 trainers, the C141B, Kiran Mk IA, KC-135R, and most recently with the C-17A. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Presidential Service Badge. 

The White House Fellow is selected by the President's Commission on White House Fellowships to participate in America's most prestigious fellowship programme for leadership development and public service.

The mission of the non-partisan White House Fellows programme, as established by President Johnson in 1964, is to develop America's future leaders by giving Fellows first hand, high level experience with the workings of the Federal Government and increasing their sense of participation in national affairs, as per White House press release.

Selection as a White House Fellow is based on a record of remarkable professional achievement early in a career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the federal government, it added.