Colonel Gray is the incoming Commander, 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale AFB CA. The wing, composed of four groups and nine squadrons is a modern Nuclear Force responsible to recruit, train and equip Conventional and Nuclear forces for the Theater or Joint Force Commander. He is responsible for eight unit equipped KC135R Stratotankers and the organization, training, and equipping of approximately 700 assigned military, civil service and contract personnel for worldwide deployment and sustained Nuclear Strike operations.
Colonel Gray graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and was commissioned through the ROTC program at the University of Kentucky in 2002. Colonel Gray began his career serving 15 years on active duty in a variety of operational and staff assignments to include tours as a Division Chief in the 618th AOC (TACC) and as the Assistant Chief Air Mobility Liaison Officer for the 101st Airborne Division. Additionally, he served as a Squadron Assistant Director of Operations, Command Post Chief, and Wing Chief of Flight Safety.
Colonel Gray transitioned to the United States Air Force Reserve in 2017, joining the 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale AFB, CA. During his time with the 940th ARW he served in several roles to include Chief of Current Operations, Wing Chief of Safety, and 940th Operations Group Commander. Prior to his current position, Colonel Gray was the Operations Group Commander of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March ARB Calif.
Colonel Gray is a command pilot with over 3,100 flying hours including 1,338 combat hours in the KC-135R/T, C-17A, KC-10A, T-1A, and T-34C aircraft. He has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and NEW DAWN.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Police Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.
2002 Air & Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Flight Safety Officer Course, Kirkland AFB, N.M.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Advanced Air Mobility Operations Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2010 Master of Science, Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Global Mobility Operations Course, Scott AFB, Ill.
2019 Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety Course, MacDill AFB, Fla.
2019 Doctor of Education, Interdisciplinary Leadership, Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
2020 Air Force Reserve Command Group Commander Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Mobility Commander Tactics Course, Rosecrans Mem JAP, Mo.
2021 Reserve Component National Security Course, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2022 Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME II) - Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2023 Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course - Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 2002 - February 2003, Assistant Chief of Aircrew Training, 46th Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
2. February 2003 - January 2004, student, T-34C Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, NAS Whiting Field, Fla.
3. January 2004 - November 2004, student, T-1A Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
4. November 2004 - March 2005, student, KC-135R Initial Qualification Training, Altus AFB, Okla.
5. March 2005 - February 2008, KC-135R/T Aircraft Commander, Sq Scheduler, Sq Chief of Safety, 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan.
6. February 2008 - July 2009, KC-135R/T Instructor Aircraft Commander, Wing Flight Safety Officer, Wing Chief of Flight Safety, 22d Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.
7. July 2009 - June 2012, Assistant Chief Air Mobility Liaison Officer, OL-U, 621st Contingency Operations Support Group, Fort Campbell AIN, Ky.
8. June 2012 - February 2013, student, KC-10A Aircraft Commander Initial Qualification Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
9. February 2013 - July 2014, KC-10A Aircraft Commander, Sq Assistant Director of Operations, Sq Chief of Readiness, 2d Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
10. July 2014 - June 2015, KC-10A Instructor Aircraft Commander, Chief of Command Post, 87th Airbase Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
11. June 2015 - November 2017, Deputy Chief, Chief, Tanker Allocation Division, 618th Air Operations Center (TACC), Scott AFB, Ill.
12. November 2017 - November 2018, KC-135R/T Instructor Aircraft Commander, Chief of Current Operations, 940th Operations Support Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
13. November 2018 - June 2019, KC-135R/T Instructor Aircraft Commander, Chief of Safety, 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale AFB, Calif.
14. June 2019 - December 2019, KC-135R/T Instructor Aircraft Commander, Deputy Commander, 940thOperations Group, Beale AFB, Calif.
15. December 2019 - May 2022, Commander, 940th Operations Group, Beale AFB, Calif.
16. May 2022 – July 2024, Commander, 452nd Operations Group, March ARB, Calif.
17. July 2024 – Present, Commander, 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale AFB, Calif.
FLIGHT INFORMATION [FLIGHT RATED ONLY]
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,100
Aircraft flown: KC-135R/T, C-17A, KC-10A, T-1A, and T-34C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major July 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Oct 1, 2018
Colonel May 2, 2024
(Current as of May 2024)