Col Richard H. King is Commander, 101st Operations Group, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard, Bangor, Maine. He directs the safe operation of the Wing’s KC-135R aircraft and is responsible for command, discipline, training, equipping and morale of personnel assigned to the 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, 101st Operations Support Squadron, Northeast Tanker Task Force and Operations Group agencies.
Col King was selected for undergraduate pilot training by the Maine Air national Guard in 2002. He received a commission through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson ANGB in June of 2004 before graduating from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB in 2006. Upon returning to Bangor, he served as a traditional Guardsman flying with the 132nd Air Refueling Squadron in support of Operation Noble Eagle and the Northeast Tanker Task Force Airbridge. He has directly participated or deployed multiple times in support of Operation’s Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, Resolute Support, Inherent Resolve, and Unified Protector. Col King was hired full-time in the Maine Air National Guard as an AGR in 2015.
Prior to his current assignment, Col King served as the 132nd ARS Operations Officer and the 101st Operations Support Squadron Commander.
Col King is a command pilot with more that 4,500 combined flying hours in the T-37, T-1, and KC-135E/R/T aircraft.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor Business Administration, Aviation Management, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
2004 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2017 Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2021 ANG Squadron Officer Course, Gulfport ANGB, MS
2023 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2024 ANG Commander Legal Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, MD
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2004–June 2004, Student, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
2. December 2005–January 2006, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
3. March 2006–July 2006, Student, KC-135 initial qualification course, Altus AFB, OK
4. July 2006–August 2014, KC-135 Pilot, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor ANGB, ME
5. August 2014–September 2014, Student, KC-135 Instructor Aircraft Commander course, Altus AFB, OK
6. September 2014–November 2018, KC-135 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, Director of Training, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor ANGB, ME
7. December 2014–February 2015 Assistant Director of Operations, 340th EARS Al Udeid AB, Qatar
8. November 2018–November 2019, KC-135 Evaluator Pilot, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor ANGB, ME
9. November 2019–November 2021, Commander, 101st Operations Support Squadron, Bangor ANGB, ME
10. November 2021–September 2022, Director of Operations, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor ANGB, ME
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,500 military hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-1, KC-135E/R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device and two "M" Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air and Space Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant - Jun 25, 2004
First Lieutenant - Jun 25, 2006
Captain - Jun 25, 2008
Major - Jun 28, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel - Dec 14, 2018
Colonel – Jan 30, 2024
(Current as of May 2024