Colonel Joseph D. Kunkel is the Vice Commander, 325th Fighter Wing, Air Combat Command, Tyndall AFB, Fla. The wing consists of more than 4,000 personnel who train and prepare F-22 Raptor pilots, intelligence officers, maintainers, and other support specialties for worldwide assignment to combat Air Force units. The 325th Fighter Wing is host to First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), 601st Air Operations Center, 53d Weapons Evaluation Group, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 337th Air Control Squadron, and Silver Flag. The wing provides support to more than 23,000 Airmen, civilians, contractors, and their families.
Colonel Kunkel was commissioned at the United States Air Force Academy in June 1994. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, OK, he was assigned to the F-15E Strike Eagle. He transitioned to the F-22 Raptor as part of Pacific Air Forces' F-22 initial cadre where he served as the Director of Operations for the 525th Fighter Squadron and then the Commander of the 90th Fighter Squadron. His combat experience includes numerous deployments in support of combat operations in the Persian Gulf and Baltic Regions. He has flown more than 145 combat hours and has dropped more than 70,000 pounds of ordnance on hostile targets. Before assuming the job of the 325th Fighter Wing Vice Commander, he was the Director of Operations for Alaskan Command at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
EDUCATION
1994 - Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy
2002 - Master of Arts, Organizational Management, The George Washington University
2013 - Master of Arts, Strategic Studies, Air University
2014 - National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, Cohort XI, Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1995 - February 1996, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
2. February 1996 - December 1996, Student, F-15E Replacement Training Unit, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
3. December 1996 - December 1999, Flight Lead, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, UK.
4. January 2000 - June 2001, Instructor Pilot, 89th Flying Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
5. June 2001 - June 2002, Student, Air Force Intern Program, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
6. June 2002 - November 2004, Instructor Pilot, 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
7. November 2004 - July 2007, Executive Officer to the Air Force A3/5, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
8. August 2007 - June 2010, Director of Operations, 525th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
9. June 2010 - May 2012, Commander, 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska.
10. June 2012 - June 2013, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. July 2013 - June 2015, Director of Operations Alaskan Command, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska.
12. June 2015 - Present, Vice Commander, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: Over 2,200
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-15E, F-22
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with V device
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1994
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major August 1, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2008
Colonel October 11, 2013
(Current as of June 2015)