Colonel Rick D. Gibney serves as the commander of the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, following an assignment as the J-5 Director in the North Dakota National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Colonel Gibney's previous assignment was as Commander 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard based at Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota. In that position he was responsible establishment of the UAS mission in the NDANG as well as for the day-to-day conduct of training and combat air operations for the 119th Wing's reconnaissance mission. In addition he served as the Title-10 Commander responsible for coordination with supported US and multi-national ground units and the CFACC for combat operations in and supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

After serving enlisted tours in the active duty Army and in the Army National Guard, Colonel Gibney received his commission in 1982 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army ROTC program at North Dakota State University. After graduating from the United States Army Engineering School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and serving in the US Army as a Combat Engineer Officer he transferred to the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1985. Colonel Gibney completed Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, California, F-4 Fighter training at Kingsley Field, Oregon and returned to the NDANG as a Weapon System Officer in the F-4D Phantom. In 1988 he was selected to attend pilot training and graduated from UPT at Williams AFB, in 1989 and F-16 RTU in 1990. Colonel Gibney has participated in eight deployments to Central America from 1991 to 2001 in support of Operation Coronet Nighthawk. Following the aftermath of 9-11, he led numerous F-16 sorties in Operation Noble Eagle flying Combat Air Patrols over Washington D.C. and around the nation. In the 2003 and 2004 Colonel Gibney deployed to Doha, Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as the CENTAF Liaison Officer to CENTCOM. Colonel Gibney is a command pilot with over 4,000 operational flight hours in the F-4C/D, F-16A, and MQ-1. Since joining the North Dakota Air National Guard Colonel Gibney has served in a wide variety of assignments in the 119th Fighter Wing and within the North Dakota National Guard.

ASSIGNMENTS

2008 - Present NDNG Joint Force Headquarters J-5
2006 - 2008 Commander, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron
2006 - 2007 Chief, Wing Conversion Office
2005 - 2006 Student, Air War College, Maxwel AFB, Alabama
2002 - 2006 Commander, 119th Fighter Wing Operations Group 
2000 - 2002 Chief of Standardization and Evaluation
1999 - 2000 Chief of Wing Scheduling
1995 - 1999 Commander, Air Defense Alert Detachment, Det 1, 119th Fighter   Wing, March ARB, California / Langley AFB, Virginia
1994 - 1995 Commander, Aircraft Maintenance Division
1991 - 1994 Chief of Security Police, 119th SFS 
1991 - 2006 F-16A Fighter Pilot / Instructor Pilot / Flight Examiner/Functional Check Pilot
1985 - 1989 F-4D Weapon System Officer / Life Support Officer

EDUCATION

North Dakota State University: Bachelor of Science Degree
Air University, Maxwell,  AFB, AL: Masters Degree in Strategic Studies

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (9 Devices)
Command Pilot Wings
Navigator Wings
Commanders Badge
Ranger Tab
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Wings
Military Freefall Parachutist Wings
Canadian Parachutist Wings

ACHIEVEMENTS

Inaugural Commander of the 178th Reconnaissance Squadron
Pilot member of 1st place 1994 William Tell Worldwide Air to Air Weapons Competition
USAF Security Police Officer Course. Honor Graduate
Life Support Officer Course. Honor Graduate
Member of Congressional Military Academy Selection Committee
Graduate US Army Engineer School, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia
Distinguished Military Graduate, Army ROTC
Special Forces Military Freefall Parachutist Course. Honor Graduate
Jumpmaster Course. Honor Graduate
US Army Ranger Course. Distinguished Honor Graduate
US Army Parachutist Course. Distinguished Honor Graduate
Ft. Lewis Parachute Demonstration Team Jumpmaster
Member United States Military Pentathlon Team 1982, 83, 84, and 1987
Coach United States Military Pentathlon Team 1994
North Dakota National Guard Marathon Team 1986, 87, and 1988
Member (athlete and coach) North Dakota Biathlon Team 1982, 83,84,85,87, and 1988

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant 29 May 1982 * U.S. Army
Second Lieutenant 31 Mar 1985 Air Force Reserve
First Lieutenant 19 Nov 1985
Captain 10 Jun 1987
Major 29 May 1996
Lieutenant Colonel 29 May 2003
Colonel 20 Nov 2008

(Current as of Sept 2009)