COLONEL KENNETH S. EAVES

Col. Ken "Willie B" Eaves is the 131st Bomb Wing Commander, Missouri Air National Guard, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. He is in command of the National Guard's only B-2 unit that provides nearly 1,100 combat-ready Airmen for both state and federal missions. The 131st Bomb Wing, a classic associate to the 509th Bomb Wing, is responsible for development and employment of the B-2's combat capability as part of the Air Force's Global Strike Task Force. The 131st Bomb Wing also supports three geographically separated units: the 157th Air Operations Group, 239th Combat Communications Squadron, 231st Civil Engineer Flight at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

Col. Eaves began his career in the Georgia Air National Guard when he received his commission through the Academy of Military Science. After completing Undergraduate Pilot Training and F-15 pilot training courses, he served as a drill-status and full-time Guardsman in Atlanta until 1995, when he transitioned to the Missouri Air National Guard. Col. Eaves has served in numerous flying positions as both an instructor pilot and mission commander. He flew combat missions in operations Provide Comfort and Northern Watch and went on to amass a broad background of experience with assignments in flying operations and command.

EDUCATION
1986 Associate of Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology, LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas
1987 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Technology, LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2004 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence


ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1990–August 1990, Academy of Military Science, McGee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2. August 1990–September 1991, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. September 1991–November 1991, Lead-in Fighter Training, Holloman AFB, N.M.
4. November 1991–April 1992, Student, F-15 Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
5. April 1992–July 1995, F-15 Flight Lead, Georgia Air National Guard, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
6. July 1995–July 2000, F-15 Instructor, Missouri Air National Guard, Lambert Air National Guard Base, Mo.
7. July 2000–December 2000, Student, United States Air Force F-15 Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. December 2000–August 2005, F-15 Instructor, Missouri Air National Guard, Lambert ANGB, Mo.
9. August 2005–October 2005, Chief of Safety, Task Force Mississippi, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Miss.
10. October 2005–October 2007, F-15 Instructor, Missouri Air National Guard, Lambert ANGB, Mo.
11. October 2007–November 2008, Student, B-2 Training, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
12. November 2008–February 2009, Commander, 110th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
13. February 2009–June 2009, Deputy Group Commander, 36th Operations Group, Andersen Air Base, Guam
14. June 2009–May 2010, Commander, 110th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
15. May 2010–March 2012, Commander, 131st Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
16. April 2012–July 2012, Commander, 509th Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
17. July 2012–February 2013, Commander, 131st Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
18. February 2013–May 2016, Vice Commander, 131st Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
19. May 2016–Present, Commander, 131st Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo.


FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,400
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-15 and B-2


MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with service star device
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" device
Air Force Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star device
Air Force Training Ribbon

STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Missouri National Guard Expeditionary Ribbon
Missouri National Guard Recruiting & Retention Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Missouri National Guard Long Service 20 Year Ribbon


EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, Aug. 03, 1990
First Lieutenant, Aug. 28, 1992
Captain, Sept. 18, 1994
Major, May 04, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel, Nov. 21, 2005
Colonel, Aug. 5, 2010


(Current as of July 2020)