Colonel Thomas H. McKenna is the Commander, 233d Space Group, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Greeley, Colorado. He is responsible for organizing, staffing, and directing the 305-member group, serving as the Installation Commander for a 17-acre GSU, and is responsible to the 140th Wing Commander for accomplishing the operational mission of the nation's only survivable and endurable missile warning and nuclear detection system. He has served in every area within the operational squadron and has been certified in every operational aspect of the Mobile Ground System--Crew Commander, Field Commander, Test Manager, Instructor, and Evaluator.
Col McKenna started his military career at the United States Air Force Academy in 1984. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1990 and served as an Instructor and Evaluator Pilot in both the T-37 and B-1B aircraft at Wiliams AFB, Laughlin AFB, Dyess AFB and Ellsworth AFB. He flew the first B-1B sortie and over 150 combat hours in Operation ALLIED FORCE demonstrating the capability of the ALE-50 Towed Decoy and the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). He joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 2000 and has served as a Crew Commander, Flight Commander, Director of Operations, and Squadron Commander at the 137th Space Warning Squadron.
Col McKenna earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Sciences (Aerospace Structures) from the US Air Force Academy and a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Sul Ross State University. He has completed several formal military schools to include Undergraduate Pilot Training, Officer Space Prerequisite Training, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.
Col McKenna has been married for 24 years, and he and his wife have 5 children.
EDUCATION
1988: Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Structures, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
1991: Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
1991: T-37 Instructor Pilot Training, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
1994: Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
1996: Master of Education in Secondary Education, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas
1997: B-1 Aircraft Commander Training, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
1999: B-1 Instructor Pilot Training, Dyess Air Base, Texas
2001: Mobile Ground System Mission Qualification Training, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
2002: Officer Space Prerequisite Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
2007: Air Command and Staff College Distance Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2013: Air War College (Distance Learning)
ASSIGNMENTS
1984-1988: United States Air Force Academy Cadet, US Air Force Academy, Colorado
1988-1990: Academic Affairs Staff Officer, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
1990-1992: UPT Student and T-37 Instructor Pilot, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
1992-1996: Flight Commander and T-37 Instructor Pilot, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
1996-2000: Flight Commander and B-1 Aircraft Commander, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
2000-2004: Space and Missile Warning Crew Commander, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
2004-2007: Flight Commander, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
2007-2013: Director of Operations, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
2013-2013: Commander, 137 SWS, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
2013-Pres: Commander, 233d SG, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal, 2 Oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal, 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Graduate of Officer Space Prerequisite Training
UNIT CITATIONS
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
EFFECTIVE DATE OF LAST PROMOTION
Col - 8 January 2014
Lt Col - 9 September 2007
Major - 1 October 2001
Captain - 4 August 1992
1st Lieutenant - 4 August 1990
2nd Lieutenant - 4 August 1988