Colonel David J. Spehar is the Vice Wing Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Comprised of more than 2,500 authorized military, civilian, and contract personnel, the 127th Wing is largest Air National Guard Wing hosting more than 5,000 personnel from multiple services including more than 70 tenant organizations and 29 assigned aircraft. Colonel Spehar is responsible for daily operations of two military weapons systems supporting two MAJCOM's with A-10C (ACC) and KC-135 (AMC) assigned aircraft. With oversight of more than $130 million annual budget, he ensures base programs, personnel, and policies directly support the Wing to continually optimize and leverage combat ready capabilities.
Colonel Spehar graduated from the University of Akron and earned his commission through Air Force ROTC. After attending the Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas he started his first assignment working with the F-117A Stealth Fighter at the 49th Maintenance Squadron, Holloman AFB, New Mexico. He held numerous leadership positions within the 49th Fighter Wing and was selected for an assignment as Deputy Chief of Supportability and Low Observables for the Joint Strike Fighter and other Low Observable platforms at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio in 1996. In June 1999, after attending specialized training at Maxwell AFB, he earned his academic instructor rating and became an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Virginia Military Institute and Mary Baldwin College until departing active duty in October 2000.
Colonel Spehar arrived at the 127th Wing in November of 2000 and was assigned to the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as the F-16C Maintenance Operations Officer. He served in that capacity until being hired as the full time C-130E Deputy Director of Maintenance in the 127th Airlift Group on 3 March 2005. He earned his first command in the 191st Maintenance Operations Flight in September of 2005 and commanded his first squadron, the 191st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in June of 2007. He, along with a team of skilled professionals, led his squadron through a successful aircraft conversion, an Operational Readiness Inspection and the 127th Wing’s first-ever Nuclear Operation Readiness Inspection in the KC-135T aircraft.
During his career, Colonel Spehar has deployed to combat zones as an operations officer and commander to Germany, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Turkey supporting Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Most recently, from April 4th 2015 through 24 October 2015, he commanded the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Group and Squadron composed of 300 total force Airmen supporting Operation Inherent Resolve at Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Spehar was the 127th Maintenance Group Commander, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organization Communications, University of Akron, OH
1998 Masters of Science in Aeronautical Operations, Embry-Riddle University, Dayton, OH
2001 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL., by correspondence
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL., by correspondence
2015 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2021 Masters of Science, Strategic Studies, US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1994–June 1994, Student, Officer Technical Training, 362nd Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. June 1994–September 1995, Commander, 49th Sortie Support Flight, 49th Logistics Group, Holloman AFB, NM
3. September 1995–October 1996, Commander, 49th Sortie Generation Flight, 49th Logistics Group, Holloman AFB, N.M.
4. October 1996–September 1998, Acquisition/Logistics Manager, Joint Strike Fighter, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. September 1998–August 1999, Deputy Chief of Sustainment, F-117 SPO, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. August 1999–October 2000, Assistance Professor of Aerospace Studies, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va.
7. December 2000–February 2003, Commander, Sortie Gen Flight, 127th Aircraft Generation Sqdn, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
8. February 2003–March 2005, Maintenance Operations Officer, 127th Aircraft Maintenance Sqdn, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
9. March 2005–September 2005, Maintenance Officer, 191st Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
10. September 2005– June 2007, Commander, 191st Maintenance Operations Flight, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
11. June 2007–April 2012, Commander, 191st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
12. April 2015–October 2015, Commander, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Group, Al Jaber AB, Kuwait
13. April 2011–January 2016, Commander, 127th Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
14. January 2016–January 2022, Commander, 127th Maintenance Group, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
15. January 2022–Present, Vice Wing Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and Oak Leaf Cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Mobility Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Star