Col. Richard F. Cox is the Commander, 94th Maintenance Group, 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. As the Commander, Col. Cox supports a group of 381 total force members including Active Guard Reserve, Traditional Reserve, Air Reserve Technicians and civilian personnel in the support of eight C-130H3 Hercules aircraft providing combat airlift for national security objectives, combat operations, contingencies and humanitarian relief efforts around globe. His oversight drives maintenance production, scheduling and sortie generation as the maintenance group manages an aircraft fleet worth $241 million.
Col. Cox enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 9, 1987, starting his career as a Strategic Aircraft Maintenance Specialist on the E-3C Air Warning and Control System aircraft. After thirteen years of active-duty service, he joined the Air Force Reserves as an Individual Mobility Augmentee at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He was selected for commissioned service through the Deserving Airman Program and completed Officer Training School in February 2004.
Prior to this assignment, Col. Cox has held G-Series Command for the 94th Maintenance Operations Flight, Dobbins ARB, Ga., the 908th Maintenance Squadron and the 908th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Maxwell AFB, Ala., in support of the C-130H Hercules Mobility mission, the 439th Maintenance Squadron at Westover ARB, Mass., where he was responsible for the only C-5M Galaxy Minor Regional Isochronal Inspection operation in the Air Force enterprise, and as the Commander for the 911th Maintenance Group at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Penn., responsible for the care and management of the C-17A Globemaster aircraft. He is a career core aircraft maintenance officer with experience on the C-5M, C-17A, C-130H2, C-130H3, E-3C, E-8C, and KC-135R aircraft.
EDUCATION
2022 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (by correspondence)
2018 Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (by correspondence)
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (by correspondence)
2012 AFRC Commander/First Sergeant/Senior ART “TRIAD” Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2010 Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course (MOIC), Sheppard AFB, Texas
2009 AFRC Reserve Officer Development (RODE)
2007 AMC Management of Aerial Port Operations, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2005 Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ Course (AMOC), Sheppard AFB, Texas
2004 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2000 Master of Science, Administrative Logistics Management, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Ga.
1999 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Systems Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
1998 Bachelor of Science, Workforce Education, Training & Development, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2024 - Present, Group Commander, (ART), 94th Maintenance Group, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
2. April 2023 - July 2024, Group Commander (AGR), 940th Maintenance Group, Beale AFB, Calif.
3. June 2021 - April 2023, Group Commander (ART), 911th Maintenance Group, Pittsburgh ARS, Penn.
4. February 2021 - June 2021, Deputy Group Commander (ART), 911th Maintenance Group, Pittsburgh ARS, Penn.
5. July 2019 - January 2021, Commander (ART), 439th Maintenance Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
6. October 2017 - July 2019, Commander (ART), 908th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maxwell ARB, Ala.
7. December 2015 - October 2017, Commander (ART), 908th Maintenance Squadron, Maxwell, Ala.
8. July 2014 - November 2015, Operation Officer (TR), 94th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
9. November 2011 - July 2014, Operations Officer (TR), 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
10. February 2009 - November 2011, Commander (TR), 94th Maintenance Operations Flight, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
11. October 2008 - February 2009, Executive Officer (TR), 94th Maintenance Group, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
12. March 2007 - October 2008, Logistics Readiness Officer (TR), 94th Aero Port Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
13. February 2004 - March 2007, Maintenance Officer (IMA), C-5A Programmed Depot Maintenance, 402nd Maintenance Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
14. February 1987 - February 2004, Prior Enlisted, Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Active Duty)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 devices Air Force Achievement Medal with 3 devices
DEPLOYMENTS
1. May - September 2018, Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-In-Charge, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Al-Udeid AB, Qatar
2. January - May 2015, Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-In-Charge, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
3. September 2009 - January 2010, Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-In-Charge, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Al-Udeid AB, Qatar
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Federal Aviation Association, Airframe & Power Plant License
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 20, 2004
First Lieutenant February 20, 2006
Captain February 20, 2008
Major July 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel August 19, 2019
Colonel May 2, 2024
(Current as of July 2024)