Colonel Kevin Walsh is the Deputy Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. He assists the Wing Commander in leading more than 5,500 personnel in the Air Force’s most forward, permanently-based fighter wing. The 51st Fighter Wing, comprised of two fighter squadrons and 15 support squadrons, provides combat-ready forces in the defense of the Republic of Korea. He leads wing staff personnel and provides guidance for nine wing committees. Colonel Walsh assists in the administration of more than $150 million for 130 units in order to defend the base, execute contingency operations, and sustain the acceptance of follow-on forces.
Colonel Walsh hails from Long Island, New York, and is a 2002 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. He has also graduated from the USAF Weapons School, Air University, National Intelligence University and National Defense University. Colonel Walsh has completed 4 combat flying deployments spanning 4 different Middle East locations, commanded the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the “Thunderbirds”, and served on the Joint Staff in the Strike Branch of the Nuclear Operations Division, J36. He has instructed and evaluated in nearly every mission set in U.S., Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Norwegian, Portuguese and Emirati F-16s.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Factors Engineering, USAF Academy, CO
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (Top 3rd Graduate)
2010 United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2012 Dutch Language School, Defense Language Institute, Washington D.C.
2012 Master of Science in Military Operational Art and Science, Air University
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
2015 Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University
2019 Master of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2002 – September 2003, Student, Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
2. October 2003 – January 2004, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, GA
3. February 2004 – December 2004, Student, F-16 Basic Course, Springfield ANGB, OH
4. January 2005 – January 2006, Electronic Combat Pilot, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, ROK
5. February 2006 – November 2008, Squadron Scheduler, Wing Scheduler, Instructor Pilot, Spangdahlem AB, GER
6. December 2008 – July 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Squadron Weapons Officer, Hill AFB, UT
7. January 2010 – June 2010, USAF F-16 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
8. August 2011 – February 2012, Student, Defense Language Institute, Washington D.C.
9. March 2012 – July 2014, Instructor, European Fighter Weapons School, Leeuwarden AB, NLD
10. July 2014 – July 2015, Student, National Intelligence University, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington D.C.
11. July 2015 – December 2017, Director of Operations – Thunderbird 7, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, The “Thunderbirds”
12. December 2017 – January 2019, Commander – Thunderbird 1, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, The “Thunderbirds”
13. January 2019 – June 2019, Director, Commander’s Action Group, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
14. June 2019 – June 2020, Student, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
15. June 2020 – July 2022, Action Officer, Joint Staff J36, Strike Branch, Nuclear Operations Division, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
16. July 2022 – July 2024, Commander, AFCENT Air Warfare Center, Al Dhafra AB, UAE
17. July 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, ROK
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Ratings: Command Pilot, Parachutist
Flight hours: More than 3,100
Combat hours: 523
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16AM/BM/C/D/E/F
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Service Stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
NATO Medal with one Service Star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major April 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 2017
Colonel June 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2024)