175th Wing welcomes new commander

by Master Sgt. Lou DeVeaux
175th Wing Public Affairs

8/4/2009 - BALTIMORE -- During a ceremony deeply rooted in military history, men and women of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, witnessed the assumption of command by Col. Scott L. Kelly at a ceremony held at Warfield Air National Guard Base on Aug 1.

Although Colonel Kelly has been serving as the wing commander since June 22, this ceremony marked the formal recognition of the changeover and was his first opportunity to address the assembled unit.

Following an introduction of distinguished members and guests, Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, The Adjutant General, Maryland National Guard, spoke of the challenges facing Colonel Kelly.

"You will bear the responsibility for ensuring the success of the organization while taking care of the men and women under your command." said General Adkins. The general challenged Colonel Kelly to "develop the junior leaders in this command for their senior assignments in the years to come."

Brig. Gen. Guy M. Walsh, the outgoing wing commander, is deployed to Afghanistan where he recently assumed command of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. General Walsh is the first National Guard officer to command an active duty wing in combat.

With the men and women of the wing at attention, General Adkins presented the wing headquarters guidon to Colonel Kelly who proudly responded, "Sir, I assume command."

Colonel Kelly expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the men and women of the 175th, adding, "I'm extremely excited and ready to get to work."

Prior to assuming command, Colonel Kelly was the vice commander of the 175th Wing.

His previous assignments include: 104th fighter squadron commander, 175th Operations Group commander and 175th Mission Support Group commander.

Colonel Kelly is a command pilot with over 3,700 military flying hours. He has flown the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and the A-10. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.



Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, passes the 175th Wing Headquarters guidon to Col. Scott L. Kelly, commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, during the wing assumption of command ceremony held at the Warfield Air National Guard Base on August 1, 2009. Hi-res

Source (including two more pictures)

Biography of Col. Scott L. Kelly

Hi-res

Col. Scott L. Kelly is the Commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland.

Col. Kelly was born in Greer, South Carolina and received his commission in May 1983 as a graduate of The Citadel. After completing undergraduate pilot training, he flew the T-38 as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot. He served as Instructor Pilot, Standardization and Evaluation Check Pilot and Assistant Flight Commander assigned to the 86th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He transitioned to the A-10 Thunderbolt II as a fighter pilot, instructor pilot and flight commander assigned to the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England Air Force Base, Louisiana. In August 1990 the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and returned following the Gulf War in March 1991.

Col. Kelly was assigned to the 175th Fighter Group, Maryland Air National Guard in December 1991 as an active duty liaison/advisor and served as Chief of Plans and Chief of the Exercise Evaluation Team. December 1994, he was appointed Initial Cadre member of the new A-10 70th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia where he served as the Assistant and the Director of Operations. In October 1997, he left active duty to join the Maryland Air National Guard as a fulltime Active/Guard/Reserve member.

Col. Kelly has served as the Chief of Programming, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, Fighter Squadron Commander and 175th Operations Group Commander. He has served as the 175th Mission Support Group Commander since November 2005.

Col. Kelly is a Command Pilot with over 3700 military flying hours. He has flown the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and the A-10. Colonel Kelly flew 92.5 hours and 40 Combat Sorties during Operation Desert Storm. Col. Kelly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the 455th Expeditionary Group Vice Commander from January - July 2003.

The 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flew 3,038.4 hours and 1,180 sorties during Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with five devices; Aerial Achievement Medal with six devices; Air Force Commendation Medal with two devices; Air Force Achievement Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device; Combat Readiness Medal with six devices; National Defense Service Medal with one device; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two devices; Air Force Overseas (Short Tour); Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon; AF Longevity Service with four devices; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, AF Training Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' device; Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait; Maryland Meritorious Service Medal; Maryland Commendation Medal.

EDUCATION:

1979 Graduate of Greer High School, South Carolina
1983 Bachelor of Arts Degree, The Citadel, South Carolina
1987 Squadron Officer School
1999 Air Command and Staff College
2002 Air War College

ASSIGNMENTS:

September 1983 - August 1984: student, undergraduate pilot training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
October 1984 - January 1985: T-38 pilot, 560th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
April 1985 - January 1988: T-38 instructor pilot, Flight Commander, 86th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
January 1988 - March 1988: AT-38B pilot, 433rd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, NM
May 1988 - July 1988: A-10 pilot, 357th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
August 1988 - November 1991: A-10 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Air Force Base, Louisiana
December 1991 - November 1994: A-10 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training and Plans, 104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland
December 1994 - October 1997: A-10 Instructor Pilot, Initial Cadre, Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Operations, 70th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
November 1997 - October 2005: A-10 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, 104th Fighter Squadron Commander, and 175th Operations Group Commander, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland
May 2005 - August 2005: 175th Wing Vice Commander (Acting)
November 2005 - April 2008: 175th Mission Support Group Commander
April 2008 - June 2009: 175th Wing Vice Commander
June 2009 - present: 175th Wing Commander

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant July 1983
First Lieutenant July 1985
Captain July 1987
Major July 1995
Lieutenant Colonel September 1999
Colonel June 2003

Source