Colonel Peter Nezamis is commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. As wing commander, he serves as the senior officer responsible for an Illinois Air National Guard wing of 8 primary assigned KC-135R aircraft and approximately 900 personnel. His wing executes worldwide mobility operations, including both air refueling and airlift, and supports a wide range of conventional and nuclear plans.

The Colonel is also responsible for two associate partners. The Active Associate 906th Air Refueling Squadron consisting of 135 personnel, with the 126th ARW serving as the host organization for this Total Force Initiative and the Classic Associate Headquarters Illinois Air National Guard Supply Chain Management Squadron consisting of 52 personnel as part of the Air Force Global Logistics Supply Center.

The Colonel joined the 110th Tactical Air Support Group, Michigan Air National Guard, in January 1986. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1986. He completed undergraduate pilot training in January 1988. He joined the 126th Air Refueling Wing in February 1988. After completing Combat Crew Training School he was assigned to the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, O'Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Ill., as a KC-135E pilot. Previous commands include operations group commander, squadron commander, and various staff assignments including chief of scheduling and director of training. He assumed command of the 126th Air Refueling Wing in March 2006.

The Colonel is a command pilot with more than 4,400 hours in the KC-135 Stratotanker. He has flown both combat support missions, is a veteran of operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, NORTHERN WATCH, DENY FLIGHT, JOINT FORGE, DELIBERATE GUARD, and most recently operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.

EDUCATION:
1986 Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology and Management, Western Michigan University, MI
1990 Air National Guard Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
1996 KC-135 Central Flight Instructor Course, Altus AFB, OK
1999 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2002 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2004 Air National Guard Senior Commander Development Course, Washington, DC

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. November 1986 - December 1986, student, McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee
2. December 1986 - January 1988, undergraduate pilot training, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
3. March 1988 - June 1988, combat crew training school KC-135, Castle Air Force Base, California
4. July 1988 - May 1991, pilot, 108th Air Refueling Squadron, O'Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois
5. June 1991 - November 1993, ground training chief, 126th Operational Support Flight, O'Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois
6. December 1993 - July 1997, scheduling chief, 126th Operational Support Flight, O'Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois
7. August 1997 - February 1998, training director, 126th Operational Support Flight, O'Hare International Airport Air Reserve Station, Illinois
8. March 1998 - August 1998, air operations officer, 126th Operations Group, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
9. August 1998 - December 2003, commander, 108th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
10. February - July 2003, commander, 492nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Lajes AB, Azores
11. December 2003 - March 2006, commander, 126th Operations Group, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
12. June - August 2005, manpower strategist, Office of Transformation, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
13. March 2006 - present, commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot Instructor and Evaluator
Flight Hours: More than 4,400
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135R, and KC135E

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with one service star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass and three "M" devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait
Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon with numeral 11
Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant Dec 18, 1986
First Lieutenant Feb 5, 1989
Captain Mar 13, 1991
Major Jan 7, 1996
Lieutenant Colonel Jan 8, 2000
Colonel, Feb. 27, 2004