Col. Michael R. Adams is the Commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama. He is responsible for providing leadership and direction for a Total Force wing comprised of more than 1200 military professionals, as well as overseeing all operational aspects in support of Air Mobility Command and the 117th Air Refueling Wing’s mission of performing global air refueling, airlift, and aeromedical evacuation in direct support of the Air Force’s Global Reach, Global Power missions.
Col. Adams began his Air Force career as an Airman Basic in January 1990, graduating from the Aircrew Egress Systems Specialist Course in May 1990. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 2003 at the Academy of Military Science, where he was a distinguished graduate. Colonel Adams is a Command Pilot with more than 3700 flying hours, including 760 combat hours.
Col. Adams has deployed throughout the Pacific, South America, Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia supporting contingency operations, theater support packages, and aeromedical evacuation missions. He has served in leadership positions as staff and crew in Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Prior to assuming command of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Col. Adams served as the Commander of the 117th Operations Group, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Human Resource Management, Faulkner University, Montgomery, Ala.
2009 Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies/Mobility Electronic Combat Officer Course, St Joseph ANG Base, Mo.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1990—October 1994, RF4C Egress and Weapon Systems Mechanic, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
2. September 1996—November 1997, Personnel Journeyman, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
3. December 1997—September 1999, Military Pay Journeyman, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
4. October 1999—March 2003, Production Recruiter, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
5. September 2003—September 2004, student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
6. April 2005—July 2016, Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot, Evaluator Pilot, 106th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
7. August 2016—November 2017, Director of Operations, 106th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
8. December 2017—July 2020, Commander, 106th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
9. August 2020—March 2023, Commander, 117th Operations Group, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala.
10. April 2023—Present, Commander, 117th Air Refueling Wing, Sumpter Smith JNGB, Ala
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 3700
Aircraft Flown: T-37B, T-1A, KC-135R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 18, 2003
First Lieutenant April 18, 2005
Captain April 18, 2007
Major September 28, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel November 12, 2016
Colonel May 19, 2021
(Current as of November 2023)