LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEREMIAH W. MIKELL
Lt. Col. Jeremiah W. Mikell serves as the Maintenance Group Commander for the 186th Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, Mississippi. In this role, he leads a group of over 200 personnel responsible for ensuring the air worthiness and mission readiness of eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. His leadership is pivotal in supporting worldwide air refueling missions that enable global reach and power.
Lt. Col. Mikell's military career began in November 1999 when he enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard as an Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice with the 186th Aircraft Generation Squadron. In March 2002, he cross-trained in Financial Management and later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2007, serving as a Logistics Readiness Officer.
His command experience developed significantly in March 2008 when he was selected as the Comptroller Flight Commander for the 186th Air Refueling Wing, a position he held until January 2023. Following this, he took on the roles of full-time Mission Support Officer and Deputy Mission Support Group Commander, where he oversaw five squadrons until December 2025. His extensive experience and proven leadership have culminated in his current command of the 186th Maintenance Group.
EDUCATION
2000 Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2001 Aerospace Maintenance Journeyman Course, by correspondence
2001 Associate of Arts, East Mississippi Community College, Scooba, Mississippi
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Financial Management and Comptroller Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2002 Financial Management and Comptroller Journeyman Course, by correspondence
2002 Airman Leadership Course, Correspondence
2003 Financial Management and Comptroller Craftsman Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2003 Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Mississippi State University, Meridian, Mississippi
2006 Master of Business Administration degree, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
2007 Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tennessee
2009 Basic Financial Management Officer Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2009 Squadron Officer School, by correspendence
2019 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2023 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2000 – July 2000, Basic Student Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
- July 2000 – November 2000, Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
- November 2000 – February 2002, Aerospace Maintenance Journeyman, 186th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- February 2002 – June 2007, Financial Services Craftsman, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Financial Management, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- June 2007 – November 2007, Logistics Plans Craftsman, 186th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- November 2007 – March 2008, Logistics Plans Officer, 186th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- March 2008 – Jan 2023, Commander, 186th Comptroller Flight, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- Jan 2023 – Dec 2025, Deputy Commander, 186th Mission Support Group, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
- Jan 2026 – Present, Commander, 186th Maintenance Group, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices
Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Coast Guard Special Ops Service Ribbon
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Service School Medal with oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Longevity Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 16 November 2007
First Lieutenant 16 November 2009
Captain 16 November 2011
Major 16 June 2015
Lieutenant Colonel 13 March 2020