Col. Kenneth Kmetz is the Deputy Wing Commander at 179th Cyberspace Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, Mansfield, Ohio. He ensures the Wing’s Airmen, and its assets, are ready to serve our local, state, and national needs for national defense and domestics operations.
Col. Kmetz enlisted in 1986 with the 179th Airlift Group, Civil Engineering Squadron as a firefighter. His experience includes service in the Civil Engineering Squadron, the Support Group as a First Sergeant, Services Flight, Security Forces Squadron, Force Support Squadron, and two Maintenance Groups. After graduating from The Ohio State University, he received his commission and served as the 179th Support Group Executive Officer. In 2000, Col Kmetz assumed command of the 179th Services Flight that was named the 2003 ANG’s Services Flight of the Year and earned an “excellent” rating on their AMC Unit Compliance Inspection. In 2004, he assumed command of the 179th Security Force Squadron. In 2005, he became the 179th Director of Personnel and led the conversion to the Force Support Squadron and later earned the 2008 Gerrit Foster Jr. Outstanding MPF Achievement Award.
In 2013, Col. Kmetz became the 179th Maintenance Group’s Deputy Group Commander and led L3 Contract Maintenance teams on the C-27J Spartan. Col. Kmetz was selected as the 121st Air Refueling Wing’s Maintenance Group Commander where he was responsible for the safe generation of 12 KC-135R aircraft and the readiness of more than 300 maintainers. He enabled “Global Reach” in support of multiple expeditionary mobilizations, the delivery of more than 55 million pounds of fuel, and an “effective” rating during the Group’s first Unit Effectiveness Inspection. Col. Kmetz moved back to the 179th Maintenance Group as the Commander where he led the transition from C-130H2s to C-130H1s aircraft, multiple modifications, multiple deployment cycles, and prepared for the Aircraft Modernization Program. Finally, he served as the C-130 Maintenance Weapon System Council Chair leading and representing 17 Air National Guard C-130 units. In 2020, Col. Kmetz assumed his role as the 179th Airlift Wing’s Vice Wing Commander, later designed as the Deputy Wing Commander of the 179th Cyberspace Wing.
EDUCATION
1994 Associate in Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
1997 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Ira C. Eaker College, Maxwell AFB, AL
1998 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, The Ohio State University, Summa Cum Laude, Columbus, OH
1999 Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN
2001 Services Initial Skills SVS 101 and Mortuary Affairs Course, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
2006 USAF Squadron Officer School, in-residence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 USAF Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2013 Senior Leadership Maintenance Course, Andrews AFB, MD
2014 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2016 USAF Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1986 – June 1987, Firefighter, 179th Airlift Wing, OH
2. June 1997 – February 1999, First Sergeant, 179th AW, OH
3. February 1999 – November 2000, Support Group Executive Officer, 179th AW, OH
4. November 2000 – May 2004, Services Flight Commander, 179th AW, OH
5. May 2004 – November 2005, Security Forces Commander, 179th AW, OH
6. November 2005 – February 2012, Director of Personnel, 179th AW, OH
7. February 2012 – January 2015, Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 179th AW, OH
8. January 2015 – March 2017, Maintenance Group Commander, 121st Air Refueling Wing, OH
9. March – April 2016, Aircraft Maintenance Theater Security Package Commander, PACOM, Anderson AFB, Guam
10. March 2017 – June 2019, Maintenance Group Commander, 179th AW, OH
11. July 2019 – September 2023, Vice Wing Commander, 179th AW, OH
12. September 2023 – Present, Deputy Wing Commander, 179th Cyberspace Wing, OH
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1998 Summa Cum Laude Graduate, The Ohio State University
1999 Distinguished Graduate, Academy of Military Science
2000 Company Grade Officer of the Year, Ohio ANG, 179th Airlift Wing
2007 Family Liaison of the Year, Ohio National Guard
2014 Distinguished Graduate, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course
2018 Ohio ANG Family Readiness Commander of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 26, 1999
First Lieutenant February 26, 2001
Captain Febrauray 26, 2003
Major February 26, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel October 15, 2013
Colonel June 18, 2017
(Current as of September 2024)