COLONEL MICHAEL T. THOMAS Colonel Michael T. Thomas is the commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. The wing consists of 1,705 authorized personnel, operating both the A-10 and KC-135 aircraft, and supports the requirements of Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Force Special Operations Command. His role as the host wing commander includes providing overall support and services to 44 DoD and DHS tenant organizations, including all branches of the military as well as the Coast Guard and Customs Border Patrol. Nearly 6700 Active, Guard, and Reserve military and civilian personnel call Selfridge Air National Guard Base home. Colonel Thomas is a command pilot with over 4000 hours of flight time in the C-130 and KC-135. He began his military career in 1976 when he enlisted into the Air Force Reserves as a C-130 Loadmaster at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. During his career, his duties have included instructor pilot, flight commander, operations officer, squadron commander, operations group commander, and wing vice commander. Colonel Thomas assumed command of the 127th Wing on 4 June 2011. EDUCATION: 1982 Oakland University, Bachelor of General Studies, Auburn Hills, Michigan 1983 Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio Texas 2001 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence 2006 Air War College, by correspondence 2011 Joint Task Force Commanders Course, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado ASSIGNMENTS: 1. July 1984 - May 1991, Rescue Pilot, C-130, 305th Air Rescue Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 2. June 1991 - August 1992, Pilot, C-130, 63rd Airlift Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 3. September 1992 - July 1994, Pilot, KC-135, 63rd Air Refueling Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 4. July 1994 - April 2003, Pilot, C-130, 171st Airlift Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 5. April 2003 - July 2003, Director of Operations, 171st Airlift Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 6. July 2003 - August 2004, Squadron Commander, 171st Airlift Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 7. August 2004 - December 2005, Operations Officer, 171st Airlift Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 8. December 2005 - January 2011, Group Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 9. January 2011 -June 2011, Vice Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 10. June 2011 - present, Wing Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan FLIGHT INFORMATION: Rating: Command Pilot Flight Hours: More than 4000 Aircraft Flown: KC-135, C-130, T-38, T-37 Pilot wings from: Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Meritorious Service Medal, with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal, with oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal, with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Unit Award, with oak leaf cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and four oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal, with eight oak leaf clusters Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, with oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal, with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, with two service stars Iraq Campaign Medal, with one service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and one oak leaf cluster Air Force Longevity Service Medal, with six oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Reserve Medal, with hourglass device and 'M' device Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol) AF Training Ribbon Michigan War on Terrorism Medal Louisiana Emergency Service Medal Michigan Legion of Merit Michigan Broadsword Service Medal with five service stars Michigan OCONUS Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION: Second Lieutenant 26 July 1983 First Lieutenant 26 July 1986 Captain 26 July 1990 Major 26 July 1997 Lieutenant Colonel 26 July 2001 Colonel 26 April 2007 (Current as of June 2011)