COLONEL RICHARD D. HUNT
Colonel Richard D. Hunt is the Vice Commander, 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard. Colonel Hunt graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997 and was commissioned in February 1999 at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. He earned his aeronautical rating at EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training in June 2000 and graduated from the Air Force Weapons School in 2005. He has commanded an A-10 Maintenance Group, A-10 Operations Group Commander, and Operations Support Squadron Commander. Colonel Hunt is an A-10 instructor pilot, flight examiner, and previously served as a Fighter Squadron, Group, and Wing Weapons Officer. He has served as the NGB/A8 Planning and Programming Cyber and Space Branch Chief, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md. In 2018 Col Hunt completed his Senior Developmental Education at the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA, earning a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. Prior to his current assignment he was the Commander, 175th Maintenance Group and 175th Operations Group, 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard.
In his civilian capacity, Colonel Hunt is a pilot with Southwest Airlines. He has more than 3,900 military flying hours, including over 1000 A-10 combat hours. He has served in 7 contingency deployments supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and FREEDOM SENTINEL.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Intermediate Development Course (IDC), Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2013 Fiscal Year Defense Plan (FYDP) Course, Headquarters Air Force, Arlington, Va.
2018 United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pa., in-residence.
2019 Commander Development Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md. 2019 Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2019 Join Air Component Commander Element Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1999 – June 2000, Student, EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. October 2000 – April 2001, Student, A-10/OA-10 Fighter Training Unit, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
3. April 2001 – December 2004, A-10/OA-10 Instructor Pilot, Forward Air Controller, Mission Planning Cell Chief, Pilot Scheduling Chief, Assistant Weapons and Tactics Officer, 104th Fighter Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
4. January 2005 – June 2005, Student, Weapons Instructor Course 05AIV, 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. June 2005 – January 2013, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Chief of Current Operations, Assistant Director of Operations, 175th Operations Support Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
6. February 2013 – April 2014, ANG State Development Tour, Cyber and Space Branch Chief, NGB/A8, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
7. April 2014 – June 2014, 175th Wing Commander’s Project Officer, Cyber Mission Conversion Officer, Inspection System Program Officer, Warfield ANGB, Md.
8. June 2014 – June 2017, Commander, 175th Operations Support Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
9. June 2017 – June 2018, Student, United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pa., in-residence.
10. June 2018 – June 2019, Deputy Commander, 175th Operations Group, Warfield ANGB, Md. 11. June 2019 – Present, Commander, 175th Operations Group, Warfield ANGB, Md.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: over 3,800
Combat Hours: over 1000 (Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM SENTINEL)
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16D, OA-10A/C, and A-10A/C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with sixteen oak leaf clusters with C Device
Air Force Commendation Medal with C Device
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device
Combat Readiness Medal with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four bronze stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 4 'M' Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Air Education Training Command Flying Excellence, Commander’s Trophy, and Distinguished Graduate Awards
A-10 Top Gun and Distinguished Graduate Awards
USAF Weapons Instructor Course Top Graduate, Distinguished Graduate, and Academic Awards
US Army War College Superior Graduate Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 25 Feb 1999
First Lieutenant 26 Feb 2001
Captain 15 March 2003
Major 02 June 2007
Lieutenant Colonel 28 June 2012
Colonel 15 Aug 2019