Colonel Richard A. McKee commands the 8th Mission Support Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The group provides complete combat operational support to the 8th Fighter Wing, including two F-16 squadrons and deployed forces, in this remote, high-threat location. As commander, he is responsible for the leadership and management of the base's civil engineer, communications/computer systems support systems support, security and law enforcement, transportation, supply, personnel, logistics readiness, education, food services, housing and recreation activities.
Colonel McKee enlisted in the Air Force in 1989 and in 1995, earned his commission upon graduation from the Air Force Officer Training School. He commanded the 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron and, while deployed, the 407th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. He has held numerous leadership and staff positions at the base, field operating agency, Major Command, Combatant Command, and Air Staff level.
Colonel McKee’s operational contingency experience includes assignments as Chief, HQ USCENTCOM Coalition Readiness Center, Operation Noble Eagle; Chief of Personnel Operations, CENTAF-Forward, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); and Commander, 407th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Ali Air Base, Iraq, in support of OIF. He is a Designated Level III Joint Qualified Officer.
EDUCATION
1995 - Bachelors of Business Administration, Wayland Baptist University
1998 - Master of Science in Administration, Human Resource Administration, Central Michigan University
1999 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 - Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 - Masters Degree in Military Operational Art and Science, Air University
2014 - Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense
University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
2014 - Masters of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1989 - August 1995, Enlisted - assignments at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, Vandenberg AFB Calif., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii
2. August 1995 - November 1995, Officer Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
3. November 1995 - September 1997, Command Protocol Officer, HQ AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. September 1997 - July 1998, Chief, Relocations and Employment, 88th Mission Support Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. July 1998 - July 1999, Chief, Customer Support, 12th Mission Support Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
6. July 1999 - February 2000, Executive Officer to the Director of Personnel, HQ AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas
7. February 2000 - February 2001, Chief, Appeals and Special Selection Board Branch, Directorate of Personnel Programs Management, HQ AFPC, Randolph AFB, Texas
8. February 2001 - April 2003, Deputy Chief, then Chief, AF Management Level Review, Directorate of Personnel Programs Management, HQ AFPC, Randolph AFB, Texas (October 2001 - March 2002, Chief, Coalition Readiness Center, HQ USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla.)
9. April 2003 - April 2005, Military Personnel Flight Commander, 56th Mission Support Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. (April-August 2005, Chief, Personnel Operations, CENTAF-Forward, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
10. August 2005 - August 2006, Executive Officer to the 56th Fighter Wing Commander, Luke AFB, Ariz.
11. August 2006 - June 2007, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. July 2007 - January 2009, Commander, 27th Services Squadron, and later 27th Special Operations Services Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M. (May 2008 - September 2008, Commander, 407th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Ali AB, Iraq)
13. Jan 2009 - Jul 2009, Commander, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
14. July 2009 - June 2011, Chief, Policy, Programs and Senior Leader Management Division, Directorate of Manpower and Personnel, and AFELM Section Commander, HQ NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Peterson AFB, Colo.
15. June 2011 - May 2012, Chief, Joint Personnel Services Division, Directorate of Manpower and Personnel, and AFELM Section Commander, HQ NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Peterson AFB, Colo.
16. May 2012 - July 2013, Executive Officer to the HQ USAF Director of Manpower, Personnel and Services, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
17. August 2013 - June 2014, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
18. July 2014 - August 2015, Chief, TFSC Operations Division, HQ AFPC, Randolph AFB, Texas
19. August 2015 - May 2016, Chief, TFSC Transitions Division, HQ AFPC, Randolph AFB, Texas
20. June 2015 - Present, Commander, 8th Mission Support Group, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
July 2009 - May 2012, Chief, Policy, Programs and Senior Leader Management Division, and Chief, Joint Personnel Services Division, HQ NORAD and USNORTHCOM/J1, Peterson AFB, Colo., at the grade of major and lieutenant colonel.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Iraqi Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1995
First Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1997
Captain Nov. 22, 1999
Major Feb. 1, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Mar. 1, 2010
Colonel Apr. 1, 2016
(Current as of 16 June 2016)