Col. Richard Konopczynski III is the Commander of the 94th Operations Group, 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. The group is comprised of the 700th Airlift Squadron, the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 94th Operational Support Squadron. In addition to the squadrons, he is responsible for the group’s eight C-130H3 cargo aircraft that support airlift, airdrop, aeromedical, and humanitarian missions around the world.
Col. Konopczynski commissioned into the Air Force via Officer Training School in February 2003. He has deployed numerous times to Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, amassing 500+ combat flying hours during hundreds of sorties. On his most recent deployment he was nominated to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s “Grand Slam, Hall of Fame” for his leadership, mentoring, mission commitment and focus on professional development.
In the civilian sector, Col. Konopczynski held Senior Engineering and Management positions at Defense Partners Harris and Northrop Grumman where he was responsible for the design, delivery and test of DoD systems ranging from the $1B+ AN/PRC-117F Multiband Manpack Radio to the $150M AN/FSQ-T34 Joint Threat Emitter. Most recently, Col. Konopczynski was recognized for his leadership in delivering the successful Electro-Optical Scene Simulation system for the JSF Aircraft Survivability Equipment Test Line.
Col. Konopczyski is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours. Prior to this assignment, he was the Director of Operations for the 700th Airlift Squadron at Dobbins ARB, Ga. He has also held positions as Chief of Tactics, Flight Commander, Squadron Safety Officer, and Operations Support Squadron Tactician.
EDUCATION
1999 Associate of Applied Science, Electrical Technology, NCC College, Sanborn, N.Y.
2001 Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Tech, Rochester, N.Y.
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
2013 Executive Capture Strategy Course, Booth School of Business, Chicago, Ill.
2015 Master of Business Administration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y.
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1995 – November 2002, SATCOM System Craftsman, 914th Combat Communications Flight, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y.
2. November 2002 – February 2003, Officer Candidate, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
3. March 2003 – October 2004, Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training
4. October 2004 – March 2007, Mobility Pilot, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
5. March 2007 – October 2011, Flying Safety Officer, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
6. October 2011 – December 2012, Wing Tactics Officer, 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
7. December 2012 – May 2015, Aircraft Commander, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
8. May 2015 – April 2017, Flight Commander, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
9. April 2017 – August 2019, Chief of Tactics, 94th OSS, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
10. August 2019 – July 2023, Director of Operations, 700th AS, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
11. July 2023 – present, Commander, 94th OG, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
CIVILIAN ASSIGNMENTS
2001 – 2005, Electrical Engineer, Mobile Combat Radios, Harris Corporation, Rochester, N.Y.
2005 – 2010, Lead System Engineer, EO/IR & Combat Range Products, Northrup Grumman, N.Y.
2010 – 2017, Manager, Systems Engineering, Lab & Range Systems, Northrup Grumman, N.Y.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot, Evaluator Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,000+ (500 Combat)
Aircraft Flown: T-37, TC-12, C-130H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal with one device
Humanitarian Service Medal with two devices
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
AF Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two ‘M’ devices and two oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one device
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Reserve Officers Association, Life Member
Association of Old Crows
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
94th AW Field Grade Officer of the Year 2021
379th AEW Grand Slam, Hall of Fame Inductee
Aircraft Commander School, distinguished graduate
Basic Military Training, honor graduate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 21, 2003
First Lieutenant February 21, 2005
Captain February 21, 2007
Major April 12, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel August 31, 2018
Colonel August 6, 2023
(Current as of July 2023)