Kelly McKinley DrillMaster012
Designation: DrillMaster012
Certifications:
- Certified DrillMaster
Endorsements:
- Regulation Drill and Protocol (Feb 2024)
- Ceremonial Drill (USAF HG)
- Exhibition Drill (April 2024)
Biography:
Chief Kelly S. McKinley is the Wing Weapons Manager for the 18th Wing, assigned to the 18th Maintenance Group, Kadena Air Base Japan. He is the principle advisor for all aircraft armament systems matters that influence readiness, training, personnel utilization, and professional development. As the focal point for weapons maintenance and loading certification efforts, he manages 236 positions assigned to 15 work-centers,
across 8 permanent, and deployed, multi-platform units.
Additionally, Chief McKinley directs armament policy that advance MAJCOM, HHQ initiatives, and contingency operations for Combatant Commanders around the globe.
Chief McKinley enlisted in the Air Force July 1998, under the Delayed Enlistment Program, and following Technical Training, served at multiple locations throughout the Northern, Central, and Indo-Pacific theaters. During his 25 year career, he has served in a variety of logistics, honor guard, and special duty positions.
Chief McKinley has deployed extensively in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN DENIAL, NOBLE EAGLE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE, and NATO’s ICELAND DEFENSE FORCE and RESOLUTE SUPPORT missions. Prior to his current role, he was the USAF Honor Guard Standardization & Evaluations Superintendent.
EDUCATION
2002 Protocol, Honors, and Ceremonies Course, Bolling Air Force Base (AFB), D.C.
2004 Airman Leadership School, Nellis AFB, Nevada
2005 Associate Applied Science, Aircraft Armament Sys. Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College
2011 NCO Academy, Maxwell-Gunter Annex, Ala.
2013 U.S. Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2013 U.S. Air Force Basic Instructor Course, Vandenberg, Cal.
2014 Certificate, Professional Manager, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Certificate, Information Assurance (NSA), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, Fla.
2015 Bachelor of Science, Technical Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, Fla.
2016 Graduate Certificate, Instructional Design, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wis.
2017 Associate of Arts, East Asian Language-Area Studies, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Md.
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College
2017 Air Force Contingency Wartime Planning Course, Curtis E. LeMay Center, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Air Force Senior Leaders Course, McConnell AFB, Kan.
2018 Master of Science in Education, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wis.
2021 Master of Business Administration, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
2022 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1998–February 1999, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1999–July 1999, Student, Aircraft Armament Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. July 1999–July 2002, Weapons Load Crew Member, 54th/12th Fighter Squadrons, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
(July 1999–August 2002, Base Honor Guard/Drill Team Member/Flight Sergeant, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska)
(October 1999–March 2000, Weapons Load Crew Member, Prince Sultan Air Base (AB). Saudi Arabia)
(February 2001–June 2001, Weapons Load Crew Member, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland)
4. August 2002– February 2005, Weapons Load Crew Mbr, 57th Aircraft Generation/Maintenance Squadrons, Nellis AFB, Nev. (September 2002–October 2003, Base Honor Guard/Drill Team Lead Trainer, Nellis AFB, Nev.)
5. February 2005–July 2005, Weapons Load Crew Chief, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea (February 2005–April 2006, Base Honor Guard Lead Trainer, Kunsan AB, South Korea)
6. July 2005–April 2006, Squadron Lead Crew Chief, 8th Maintenance Group, Kunsan AB, South Korea
7. April 2006–April 2008, Weapons Load Crew Chief, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
(April 2006–April 2008, NCOIC, Base Honor Guard, Misawa AB, Japan)
(May 2007–October 2007, Weapons Load Crew Chief/Base Honor Guard Trainer, Balad AB, Iraq)
8. April 2008–May 2008, Squadron Lead Crew Chief, 51st Maintenance Group, Osan AB, South Korea
(April 2008–May 2008, NCOIC, Base Honor Guard, Osan AB, South Korea)
9. June 2009–September 2009, Student, USAF Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, D.C.
10. September 2009–March 2010, Bearers Section Chief, USAF Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, D.C.
11. March 2010–July 2010, NCOIC, Ceremonial Flight, USAF Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, D.C.
12. July 2010–October 2011, Flight Chief, Formal Training, USAF Honor Guard, Bolling AFB, D.C.
13. October 2011–May 2013, NCOIC, Drill Team, USAF Honor Guard, JBAB, D.C.
14. May 2013–September 2014, Flight Chief, Standardization & Evaluations, USAF Honor Guard, JBAB, D.C.
15. September 2014–January 2015, Weapons Expediter, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
(September 2014–January 2019, Superintendent, Base Honor Guard, Hill AFB, Utah)
16. January 2015–April 2015, Weapons Loading NCOIC, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
17. April 2015–May 2016, Weapons Section Chief, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
(October 2015–May 2016, Weapons Section Chief/NCOIC, Base Honor Guard, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
18. May 2016–April 2018, Armament Flight Chief, 388th Equip. Maintenance/Mx Squadrons, Hill AFB, Utah.
(October 2017–April 2018, Armament/Accessories/Base Honor Guard Superintendent, Al Dhafra AB, U.A.E.)
19. April 2018–January 2019, Wing Weapons Manager, 388th Maintenance Group, Hill AFB, Utah
20. January 2019–March 2022, Operations Superintendent, USAF Honor Guard, JBAB, D.C.
21. March 2022–February 2023, Standardization & Evaluations Superintendent, USAF Honor Guard, JBAB, D.C.
22. February 2023–Present, Wing Weapons Manager, 18th Maintenance Group, Kadena AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with seven oak leaf cluster
Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1999 Student Leadership School Distinguished Graduate
2001 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Missile/Munitions Technician of the Year, 12th Fighter Squadron
2003 Weapons Load Crew of the Year, Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit
2003 Outstanding Airman of the Year, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
2005 Honor Guard Member of the Year, Kunsan AB
2006 Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year, Misawa AB
2007 CMSAF Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year, Misawa AB
2008 Ceremonial Guardsman of the Year, Osan AB
2011 Distinguished Graduate, NCO Academy
2013 USAF Honor Guard 47th Praetorian Recipient
2013 USAF Ceremonial Guardsman of the Year
2013 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 11th Operations Group
2014 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 11th Operations Group
2015 Base Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year, Air Force Materiel Command
2016 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Missile/Munitions Manager of the Year, Hill AFB
2018 SNCO of the Year, 388th Maintenance Group
2020 USAF Ceremonial Guardsman of the Year
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Association, Lifetime Member
Airman Heritage Foundation, Lifetime Member
U.S. Air Force Sergeants Association, Lifetime Member
U.S. Air Force Association, Lifetime Member
Aircraft Armament Chiefs Association, Lifetime Member
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant March 1, 2022
Senior Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2018
Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2015
Technical Sergeant June 1, 2010
Staff Sergeant July 1, 2005
Senior Airman June 12, 2001
Airman First Class June 22, 1999
Airman Basic Dec. 29, 1998
(Current as of November 2023)