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COLONEL DONALD R. BUCKLEY
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Col. Donald R. Buckley is commander of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. He commands the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The 434th ARW is manned by nearly 1,900 military, civilian and contractor personnel and equipped with two flying squadrons operating 16 aircraft. The 434th ARW also has a unique role supporting both the Single Integrated Operational Plan and conventional tanker missions.
Buckley received his commission in 1987 as a graduate from Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He entered pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., and was assigned to the 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 2001, where he flew MC-130E Combat Talons. Buckley has held assignments ranging from chief of standardization and evaluation to operations group commander. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours and has deployed in support of Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Texas
1994 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1996 Flight Safety Officer School, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2012 Master's in Business Administration Military Management, Trident University International, Calif.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1987 - November 1988, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Ariz.
2. February 1989 - September 1992, C-130E evaluator pilot, functional check pilot, chief of current operations, 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
3. September 1992 - October 1995, C-130E evaluator pilot, squadron evaluator pilot, Special Activities Division, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
4. October 1995 - August 1999, C-22B, C-18A and C-32A evaluator pilot, chief of combat plans, chief of combat operations, chief of safety, chief of standardization and evaluation, 486th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. August 1999 - July 2000, chief of standardization and evaluation, 66th Air Operations Squadron, Fort Bragg, N.C.
6. July 2000 - June 2005, MC-130E pilot section supervisor, evaluator pilot, 711th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
7. June 2005 - June 2007, MC-130E chief of standardization and evaluation, 919 Operations Group, Duke Field, Fla.
8. June 2007 - March 2010, director of operations, C-130J instructor pilot, 815th Airlift Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
9. March 2010 - May 2012, commander, 919th Operations Group, Duke Field, Fla.
10. May 2012 - Present, commander, 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,000 hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, C-130E, C-22B, C-18A, C-32A, MC-130E, C-130J, WC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Gallant Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one campaign star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Reserve Officers Association (life member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 13, 1987
First Lieutenant Aug. 13, 1989
Captain Aug. 13, 1991
Major Feb. 1, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 18, 2005
Colonel Feb. 28, 2010
(Current as of December 2012)
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