325th Fighter Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Looking back 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, the idea of being a wing commander would never have crossed this Airman's mind.

"Growing up in a disciplined military household, I wasn't necessarily sure if a military career was going to be right for me," said Brig. Gen. John K. McMullen, 325th Fighter Wing commander.

"I was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and we moved a lot when I was a kid," he added.

He is the youngest of three children. His brother, a retired Air Force colonel, works for Special Operations Command and lives in Tampa, Fla. His sister works for Walmart Stores, Inc. and lives in Madison, Wis.

General McMullen attended three different high schools, but completed his senior year at Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Va.

After high school, General McMullen continued to live in Virginia.

"I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering," General McMullen said. "I met my wife, then girlfriend, Kim, in college and while she finished her degree, I stayed at Virginia Tech to finish my Masters of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering."

After receiving his master's degree in 1986, it was difficult for General McMullen to find work in his career field. He and his wife decided he should join the Air Force and in March of 1988, he was commissioned through Officer Training School.

Through 1989 and 1990, General McMullen was a student at Tyndall for initial qualification training in the F-15C Eagle.

"My career went in steps, I never really saw myself as a big dreamer," said General McMullen. "As a young lieutenant, I focused on being the best at my job. I wanted to be a weapons school graduate, after completing that, I looked at squadron commanders and saw there were things that could be improved so I focused on achieving that."

He was assigned to Tyndall again from 1993 to 1997 as an F-15C instructor pilot, flight commander and weapons officer in the then-2nd Fighter Squadron.

"I fell in love with Florida when I first got here in 1989. I love the people, the base, and the beaches this area provides," General McMullen said. "Our future plan is to call Florida home."

His daughter Carly is currently a sophomore at the University of Florida actively pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology.

In addition to his admiration for Florida, General McMullen greatly enjoyed his assignment at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

"Being stationed at Lakenheath made it easy for my wife and I to travel around Europe," added General McMullen. "It was also a great experience being able to deploy from there. When we deployed, we deployed as squadrons and the camaraderie seemed so much higher there than in past assignments."

The Air Force provided plenty of opportunities and constructed a foundation of memories early in his career.

"When I was a young lieutenant at Langley Air Force Base, Va., we were abruptly deployed to OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and OPERATION DESERT STORM," General McMullen said. "We deployed with just a few days notice. However, on our return back to the United States, I looked out at our country's coast knowing we were almost home and that was truly an amazing and emotional sight."

Another memorable experience for General McMullen was his most recent prior assignment to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

"It was very exciting to be a wing commander there," said General McMullen. "I think the most exciting aspect of being in command there was the variety of aircraft such as F-22 Raptors, C-17 Globemasters, Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft, and the C-12 Huron. It was a very diverse mission."

As the 325th FW commander, he is looking forward to the experiences and opportunities to be involved in the local community at Tyndall.

"The Air Force has taught me a lot about myself and the Air Force mission," said General McMullen. "It is important to try to be the best you can be in support of the mission, but you need balance in your life also."

"It is important to take care of your family, spend time with your family, and you need to take leave. It is also very important to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually, whatever that may mean to you," he added.

In his free time, he spends time with his family. He enjoys golfing and jet skiing as well.

"I am an avid football fan and I love the Washington Redskins," General McMullen said. "Unless it is football Sunday, I'd rather be outside enjoying what the area has to offer."

"My wife, Kim, and I couldn't be happier to be here," added General McMullen. "I am looking forward to serving side-by-side with other Checkertail Airmen and I want to thank them all for their service."