Colonel Randal S. Pope is the Vice Wing Commander, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Mississippi Air National Guard, Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi. The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,000 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide missions. The Wing also supports counterdrug missions with a RC-26B aircraft. Colonel Pope has served in this position on a full-time basis since August 2010.
A native Mississippian, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December 1979 where he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment where he served as an infantryman and administrative specialist until released from active duty in 1979. He then enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard, 186th Air Refueling Wing, and Meridian, Mississippi in July 1984 as a Personnel Craftsman. He has commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned as Personnel Officer. He completed numerous assignments including Social Actions Officer, Security Forces Squadron Commander, Air Base Operability Officer, Support Group Executive Officer, Wing Inspector General, Mission Support Commander, and Director of Staff-Mississippi Air National Guard.
EDUCATION
1984 Baccalaureate Degree, Agriculture Education and Economics, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
1987 Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN
1989 Personnel Officer Course, Keesler AFB, MS
1992 Security Police Officer Course, Lackland AFB, TX
1993 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
1995 U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Course, Fort McClelland, AL
1997 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2000 U.S. Air Force Inspector General Course, Lansdowne, MD
2006 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
December 1977 - April 1978, Basic training, Parris Island, SC
May 1978 - March 1979, Infantryman, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Kaneohe Bay, HI
July 1984 - August 1987, Personnel Craftsman, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
September 1987 - January 1990, Personnel Officer, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
January 1990 - July 1991, Human Relations Officer, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
July 1991 - March 1994, Commander, 186th Security Forces Squadron, Meridian, MS
March 1994 - May 1996, Air Base Operability Officer, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
May 1996 - October 1999, Executive Officer, 186th Mission Support Group, Meridian, MS
October 1999 - July 2003, Wing Inspector General, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
July 2003 - June 2006, Commander, 186th Mission Support Flight, Meridian, MS
June 2006 - August 2010 Director of Staff - Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Mississippi Air National Guard, Jackson, MS
August 2010 - Present, Vice Wing Commander, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian, MS
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with silver leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour glass devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Mississippi Magnolia Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Mississippi Service School Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Mississippi Longevity Medal with five oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 17 September 1987
First Lieutenant 04 October 1989
Captain 01 November 1991
Major 13 April 1996
Lieutenant Colonel 08 November 2000
Colonel 02 September 2008