COLONEL ROBERT K. BRADY Col Robert K. Brady is the Commander, 186th Operations Group, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi. The group is made up of four squadrons: the 153 ARS, 186 OSS, 238 ASOS and the 248 ATCS. The group also includes an RC-26B Detachment, and currently has over 290 total personnel.
Col Brady enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard on July 11, 1992. He attended Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, with follow-on training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. After completion of training, he was assigned to the 186th Medical Group as a Medical Service Technician. After serving as an enlisted traditional guardsman for several years, Col Brady was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science on April 20, 2001. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, followed by KC-135R Initial Qualification Training at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Following flight training, Col Brady was assigned to the 153rd Air Refueling Squadron as a KC-135R copilot.
Prior to his current assignment, Col Brady served in numerous capacities to include: Aircrew/Flight Scheduling Officer, Aircrew Standards and Evaluations Liaison Officer, Aircrew Standards and Evaluations Chief, Executive Officer, Director of Operations and Maintenance Group Commander. He is a Command Pilot with over 3400 hours in multiple aircraft including the T-37B, T-1A, MC-12W, C-27J and KC-135R.
Col Brady has participated in numerous operations worldwide, performing both aircrew and staff duties. These operations include ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, IRAQI FREEDOM, and NOBLE EAGLE. Most recently, he served as the Commander, 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam, in 2019.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.
2001 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn.
2002 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2002 KC-135R Initial Qualification Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
2005 KC-135R Aircraft Commander Upgrade Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
2008 KC-135R Instructor Pilot Upgrade Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
2009 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence.
2009 MC-12W Initial Qualification Training, Atlanta, Ga.
2009 MC-12W Instructor Pilot Upgrade Training, Key Field ANGB, Meridian, Miss.
2012 C-27J Initial Qualification Training, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2013 KC-135R Instructor Pilot Requalification Training, Key Field ANGB, Meridian, Miss.
2016 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
2016 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1.July 1992 – March 2001, Medical Services Technician, 186th Medical Group, Key Field ANGB, Meridian, Miss.
2.March 2001 – April 2001, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn.
3.May 2001 – June 2002, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
4.July 2002 – November 2002, KC-135R Initial Qualification Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
5.November 2002 – April 2007, Pilot/Aircrew Scheduling Officer, 153rd Air Refueling Squadron, Key Field Air NationalGuard Base, Meridian, Miss.
6.May 2007 – September 2008, Aircrew Standards and Evaluations Liaison Officer, 153rd Air Refueling Squadron, KeyField Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Miss.
7.October 2008 – September 2010, Chief, Aircrew Standards and Evaluations, MC-12W Project Liberty, Key Field AirNational Guard Base, Meridian, Miss.
8.October 2010 – December 2013, Executive Officer, 186th Operations Group, Key Field Air National Guard Base,Meridian, Miss.
9.January 2014 – January 2015, Director of Operations, 153rd Air Refueling Squadron, Key Field Air National GuardBase, Meridian, Miss.
10.February 2015 – March 2018, Commander, 186th Maintenance Group, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian,Miss.
11.March 2018 – Present, Commander, 186th Operations Group, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Miss.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3400
Aircraft Flown: T-37B, T-1A, KC-135R, MC-12W, C-27J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi Magnolia Medal
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Longevity Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant April 20, 2001
First Lieutenant April 20, 2003
Captain April 20, 2005
Major May 8, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel November 15, 2013
Colonel December 2, 2017
(Current as of Feb 2023)