Col. Gregory D. Halen is the Commander, 916th Maintenance Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. He is responsible for an aircraft maintenance organization which includes the 916th Maintenance Squadron and the 916th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The group's mission is to provide combat-ready airmen and aircraft to support the 916th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135R Stratotanker operations involving aerial refueling, airlift of cargo and passengers, and aeromedical evacuations.
Col. Halen received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program upon graduating from Auburn University in 1987. He attended the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course (AMOC) at Chanute AFB, Illinois. He has served as an aircraft maintenance officer, weapons safety officer, and sortie generation flight commander prior to leaving active duty. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1999 and has served as a maintenance squadron commander, aircraft maintenance squadron commander and maintenance group deputy commander among other positions. Prior to his current position, Col. Halen was the IMA to the A4M, HQ Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
1988 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
1991 Weapons Safety Officer Course, Lowery AFB, Colo.
1991 Nuclear Surety Officer Course, Lowery AFB, Colo.
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1996 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
1996 Master of Science Operations Management, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Board President Mishap Investigation Course, Charleston AFB, S.C.
2008 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1988-June 1988, Student, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course (AMOC), Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
2. June 1988-December 1991, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. December 1991-December 1994, Chief of Weapons Safety/Nuclear Surety Officer, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy.
4. December 1994-January 1997, Sortie Generation Flight Commander, 39th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. Break in service
6. August 1999-May 2002, Maintenance Officer, 911th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Base, Pa.
7. June 2002-March 2005, Executive Officer/Maintenance Officer, 94th Maintenance Group, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
8. April 2005-July 2008, Commander, 914th Maintenance Squadron/914th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y.
9. July 2008-June 2009, Commander, 916th Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
10. July 2009-October 2013, Deputy Commander, 442nd Maintenance Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
11. October 2013-January 2016, IMA to the A4M, HQ Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
12. January 2016-Present, Commander, 916th Maintenance Group, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with campaign star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 10, 1987
First Lieutenant Sept. 17, 1989
Captain Sept. 17, 1991
Major May 6, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 2, 2007
Colonel Sept. 7, 2013
(Current as of March 2016)