Colonel Matthew R. Kenkel is the Deputy Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The fighter wing is composed of nearly 3,000 personnel with an annual facilities, operations and maintenance budget of more than $165 million. The base supports eight associate units from four U.S. military services (Air Force, Navy, Army and Space Force) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Colonel Kenkel received his commission in May 2002 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is an F-16 Command Pilot with extensive experience in United States Pacific Air Forces and United States Pacific Fleet. Colonel Kenkel has held various squadron, wing and headquarters level positions to include 35th Fighter Wing Chief of Safety and 14th Fighter Squadron Commander. Prior to serving as the 35th Fighter Wing Deputy Commander, the Colonel Kenkel was the Liaison to the Commander United States Pacific Fleet.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2013 Masters of Science in International Relations, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2013 Air Command and Staff College (in correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Masters of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2002 - March 2003, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
2. March 2003 - November 2003, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Tex.
3. November 2003 - November 2007, Flight Commander and Squadron Executive Officer, Laughlin AFB, Tex.
4. November 2007 - October 2008, Student, F-16 Basic Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. October 2008 - October 2011, Assistant Director of Operations and Flight Commander, Misawa Air Base, Japan
6. October 2011 - July 2014, Assistant Director of Operations and SEAD Division Chief, Luke AFB, Ariz.
7. July 2014 - August 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. August 2015 - June 2016, Chief of Wing Safety, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan
9. June 2016 - October 2017, Director of Operations, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
10. October 2017 - June 2019, Commander, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
11. June 2019 - June 2020, Student Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. June 2020 - November 2020, Deputy Division Chief, Strategy Division, 613 AOC, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
13. November 2020 - May 2023, Liaison to Commander United States Pacific Fleet, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
14. May 2023 - Present, Deputy Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,100
Aircraft flown: F-16, F-4, T-6, T-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant, May 29, 2004
Captain, May 29, 2006
Major, April 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel, January 1, 2016
Colonel, November 1, 2021
(Current as of May 2024)