LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL J. KENNEDY

Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Kennedy is the commander of the 673rd Security Forces Squadron.  He commands over 450 Security Forces members that provide full spectrum Law Enforcement and Security Operations for 3 AF Wings, 2 Army Brigades and 75 associate tenant units; encompassing 36K military members, civilians and dependents, a 79K-acre installation, and the 11th Airborne Division.

Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy entered the Air Force in 2001 and received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2005.  He completed his Masters of Criminal Justice with honors in 2012 through the American Military University. He has served in operational positions to included Flight Commander, Officer in Charge (OIC) of Weapons Storage Area, OIC, Air Base Defense, OIC, Logistics and Resources, and Operations Officer within conventional and nuclear CONUS and OCONUS bases. He has multiple staff tours to include that of Headquarters Air Force Inspection Agency, as the expert on all matters related to nuclear security polices, field operations, surety programs and inspection processes; as well as Joint NATO Staff, responsible for the High North Region, the Baltic Sea Region and North Eastern Europe, to promote the readiness and responsiveness of NATO’s military organization.

Lt Col Kennedy has commanded three separate previous security forces squadrons, both conventional and nuclear units. Finally, he has deployed in support of Operations ODYSSEY DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and NOBLE EAGLE; as well as directly supported Operations ATLANTIC RESOLVE and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.

EDUCATION
2005  Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and Leadership, USAF Academy, CO
2006  Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2007  Security Forces Officer Course, Camp Bullis, TX
2007  Advanced Weapons and Tactics Field Leadership, Camp Guernsey, WY
2009  Integrated Defense Command Course, Lackland AFB, TX
2010  Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2012  Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with Honors, American Military University
2013  DoD Nuclear Surety Inspection Course, Defense Threat Reduction University, Kirtland AFB, NM
2013  AF Nuclear Surety Inspection Course, Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, NM
2013  Basic Inspector Course, Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, NM
2014  Inspector General Training Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
2014  Joint DoDDoE Nuclear Surety Executive Course, Defense Threat Reduction University, Kirtland AFB, NM
2015  AFSO21 Green Belt Course, Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, NM
2015  Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course, Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland AFB, NM
2015 Air Command and Staff College by Correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 USSTRATCOM Joint Nuclear Commanders Course, Offutt AFB, NE
2017 Safety Accident and Investigation Board President Course, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, NM
2018 Next Jump Leadership Academy, New York City, NY
2018 Arctic Survival School, Eielson AFB, AK

ASSIGNMENTS
1.  September 2005 – July 2006, F-15 Flight Scheduler, 1 FS, Tyndall AFB, FL
2.  July 2006 – January 2007, Student, 37 FS, Columbus AFB, MS
3.  January 2007 – April 2009, Flight Commander/OIC WSA, 341 SFS, Malmstrom AFB, MT
4.  April 2009 – April 2010, OIC ABD, 8 SFS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
5.  June 2010 – March 2012, Logistics Officer/Asst Operations Officer, 31 SFS, Aviano AB, Italy
     (May 2011 – December 2011, Operations Officer, 387 ESFS, Al Mubarak AB, Kuwait)
6.  March 2012 – June 2013, Operations Officer, 31 SFS, Aviano AB, Italy
7.  June 2013 – July 2015, Chief, Mission Support Division, Oversight Directorate, AFIA, Kirtland AFB, NM
8.  July 2015 – Jun 2017, Commander, 91st Security Support Squadron, Minot AFB, ND
9. Nov 2016 – Jun 2017, Commander, 891 Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, ND
10. Jun 2017 – July 2020, Commander, 354 Security Forces Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
11. July 2020 – Jun 2022, Chief, Joint Operations Force Protection, NATO, Joint Force Command HQ, Brunssum, NL
12. Jun 2022- Present, Commander, 673d Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (2 oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award (2 oak leaf clusters)
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service (3 oak leaf clusters)
Air ForCe Training Ribbon
NATO Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2008  341st Security Forces Squadron, Company Grade Officer of the Year
2009  8th Fighter Wing Traditional Security Forces Company Grade Officer of the Year
2012  31st Security Forces Squadron, Company Grade Officer of the Year
2013  HQ Air Force Inspection Agency, Company Grade Officer of the Year
2014 HQ Air Force Inspection Agency, Company Grade Officer of the Year
2015 HQ Air Force Field Office Agency, Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, Company Grade Officer
2016 91st Missile Wing Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, Field Grade Officer
2016 AFGSC Best Small Security Forces Squadron
2019 PACAF Best Medium Security Forces Squadron
2022 NATO Commanders Commendation

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant               1 June 2005
First Lieutenant                     1 June 2007
Captain                                 1 June 2009
Major                                    1 October 2015
Lieutenant Colonel               1 March 2020

(Current as of 9 Jun 2022)