Colonel Kent A. Kazmaier is the 178th Wing Commander. As the commander, he executes the remotely piloted aircraft MQ-9 Reaper mission. In addition, he is responsible for the 178th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group missions, which involves close coordination with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Colonel Kazmaier enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1993. He was first assigned to the 178th Fighter Wing where he served as an F-16 crew chief. In 1998, Colonel Kazmaier received his commission through the Academy of Military Science. He earned his wings through the Undergraduate Pilot Training program at Laughlin AFB, TX, and went on to Luke AFB, AZ where he learned to employ the F-16C. In 2000, Colonel Kazmaier transferred to the Air National Guard at Hulman Field, Terre Haute, Indiana, eventually upgrading to four-ship flight lead and instructor pilot. In 2006, he transferred back to the Ohio Air National Guard as an instructor for the 178th Fighter Wing, 162nd Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Ohio, and trained both U.S. and Dutch F-16 students until the unit converted to the MQ-1B in 2010. Since then, Colonel Kazmaier has served as a pilot instructor and evaluator, Flight Commander, Chief of Stan/Eval, Chief of Safety, Inspector General, Director of Operations, and Squadron Commander. He assumed command of the 178th Operations Group on 15 August 2018 where he led over 200 pilots, sensor operators, mission intelligence coordinators and support personnel in the MQ-9 Reaper operations.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Kent State University
2004 Squadron Officer School, via correspondence
2005 Master of Science, Oakland City University
2010 Air Command and Staff College, via correspondence
2014 Air War College, via correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 1993 – February 1998, F-16 Crew Chief, Springfield, Ohio
- March 1998 – May 1999, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training; Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas
- May 1999 – August 1999, Survival School (Land & Water), Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
- August 1999 – January 2000, Awaiting F-16 Training, Kelly AFB, TX
- January 2000 – July 2000, student, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
- July 2000 – October 2006, F-16C Instructor Pilot, 113th Fighter Squadron, Terre Haute, Indiana; additional duties included Squadron Scheduler, Chief of Weapons and Supervisor of Flying.
- October 2006 – September 2010, F-16 instructor pilot, 162nd Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Ohio; additional duties included Chief of Current Ops, Functional Check Flight Pilot, Supervisor of Flying and Operations Supervisor.
- September 2010 – November 2013, MQ-1 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, 178th Operations Group, Springfield, Ohio; additional duties included Chief of Stan/Eval and Flight Commander.
- November 2013 – March 2015, Wing Chief of Safety, 178th Wing, Springfield, Ohio.
- March 2015 – April 2017, Wing Inspector General, 178th Wing, Springfield, Ohio.
- April 2017 – December 2017, MQ-9 Conversion, Director of Operations, 162d Attack Squadron, Springfield, Ohio.
- December 2017 – August 2018, Commander, 162d Attack Squadron, Springfield, Ohio.
- August 2018 – February 2022, Commander, 178th Operations Group, Springfield, Ohio.
- February 2022 – present, Vice Commander, 178th Wing, Springfield, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Service Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service with one silver oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 M devices
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 12 Mar 1998
First Lieutenant 12 Mar 2000
Captain 22 Mar 2002
Major 07 Apr 2006
Lieutenant Colonel 07 Jan 2012
Colonel 08 Oct 2019
(Current as of Feb 2022)