Col. Richard F. Switzer is the Deputy Commander of the 130th Airlift Wing at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. He is responsible for assisting and advising the Wing Commander in managing over $100M in property and equipment and the formulation, development and coordination of all plans, programs and policies applicable to over 1,000 airmen and eight C-130J aircraft.
Col. Switzer enlisted in October 1994 and has served 29 years in the West Virginia Air National Guard in enlisted and officer roles. He completed Information Management School in May 1995. After receiving his degree from Marshall University, he earned his commission from the Academy of Military Science in March 2000. He completed Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training in 2001. After his return from C-130 Initial and Mission Qualification training, he served as Line Navigator for the 130th Airlift Wing from 2001 to 2006. He then served as Instructor Navigator, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Director of Operations, and Airlift Squadron Commander. Prior to his current position, Col. Switzer was the 130th Operations Group Commander, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia.
Col Switzer has deployed and flown missions in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINEL, ENDURING FREEDOM, CORONET OAK, INHERENT RESOLVE, and ODYSSEY DAWN. Col. Switzer is a Command Navigator with over 3,500 military flying hours, including over 600 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1997 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
1999 Bachelor of Arts, Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2014 Introduction to Special Operations Course, Joint Special Operations University, Fla.
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Squadron Commanders Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2018 Mission Generation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air National Guard Commander Leadership Course, ANGRC, JB Andrews, Md.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1995 – March 1995, Trainee, Base Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. March 1995 – May 1995, Student, Information Management School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. May 1995 – December 1999, Information Management Specialist, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, W.Va.
4. January 2000 – March 2000, Officer Candidate, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
5. May 2000 – March 2001, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
6. December 2001 – August 2006, Line Navigator, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
7. August 2006 – December 2009, Instructor Navigator, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
8. December 2009 – January 2016, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
9. January 2016 – September 2017, Director of Operations, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
10. October 2017 – May 2019, Airlift Squadron Commander, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
11. May 2019 – April 2023, Operations Group Commander, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
12. April 2023 – Feb 2024, Director of Staff, Headquarters, West Virginia Air National Guard, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
13. April 2023 – present, Deputy Wing Commander, 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin ANGB, W.Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
Air Medal with 4 devices
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 2 devices
Air Longevity Service
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 “M” devices
Air Force Training Ribbon with 1 device
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 Air Education Training Command Commander’s Trophy
2001 Ira J. Husik Award for Navigation Excellence
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Executive Committee Member for Air, National Guard Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant March 3, 2000
First Lieutenant March 3, 2002
Captain April 1, 2004
Major April 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel November 6, 2016
Colonel March 25, 2021
(Current as of March 2025)