Commander Ryan B. Popiel
EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Commander Ryan Popiel currently serves as the Aviation Engineering Officer for Coast Guard Air Stations Atlantic City. Prior to assuming this role, he served as the Engineering Services Division Chief for the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in Elizabeth City, NC. In this position, Commander Popiel directed engineering policy and quality control system management for the Aviation Logistics Center in addition to technical support for 26 air stations and 200+ aircraft. As the Coast Guard’s Technical Warrant Holder for Airworthiness Assurance, Commander Popiel served as the final authority for all parts manufacturing, engineering analysis, and aviation configuration control.

As a Coast Guard H-65 Flight Examiner with Advanced Search and Rescue qualifications, and an Aircraft Commander qualified in the Rotary Wing Air Intercept special mission, Commander Popiel has 15-years of aviation experience and 2,800 flight hours supporting homeland security, military, and humanitarian missions. Additional previous assignments include: ALC Short Range Recovery (H-65) Product Line Engineering Officer, ALC Configuration Management Branch Chief, AIRSTA Barbers Point Assistant Engineering Officer, AIRSTA Atlantic City Rotary Wing Aviator, and Engineering Officer in Training on CGC TAHOMA (WMEC-908).

 Commander Popiel attended Purdue University where he earned his Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2019. He graduated from U.S. Navy Flight School in 2009 where he earned his naval aviator “wings of gold,” and is a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Commander Popiel’s personal decorations include: one Meritorious Service Medal, one Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and a Commandant Letter of Commendation.

Commander Popiel is the son of Philip and Betty Popiel from Thornton, Pennsylvania.