Major Brian Leitzke

Major Brian “Bud” Leitzke is a U.S. Air Force (USAF) officer who serves as a visiting military analyst with FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power. Previously, he served as acting deputy director of weapons programs in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Legislative Liaison. Prior to this role, Brian worked as a legislative fellow in the Office of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs. Among other issues, Brian’s portfolio has included hypersonics; space; nuclear, chemical, and biological threats; the Missile Defense Agency; and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Brian has served as an F-15E mission commander; F-15E Formal Training Unit weapons officer; 4th Fighter Wing weapons officer; USAF Weapons School instructor; flight commander; 57th Wing weapons officer; activity security manager; and assistant director of operations. He has accrued more than 1,600 hours in the T-6, T-38, and F-15E, including 575 instructor hours and 120 combat hours in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.