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| Resources > Biographies > COLONEL ARTHUR J FLORU |
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COLONEL ARTHUR J FLORU
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Colonel Arthur J. Floru is Commander, 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset State Airport, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The 143d Airlift Wing is comprised of 11 squadrons and over 1000 military and civilian personnel. The Wing is also responsible for the support of two Geographically Separated Units (GSU's), the 102nd NWS and the 281st CCG.
Col Floru is a 1985 graduate of the University of Rhode Island. He received his commission through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN in 1989. Upon completion of undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, OK in 1990, he was assigned to fly C-130s at Quonset Point, RI as a member of the Rhode Island ANG. He has served as a C-130 aircraft commander, instructor pilot, and evaluator pilot. He is a graduate of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training School in St. Joseph, MO. He has compiled nearly 5,000 flying hours in the C-130E and J model aircraft.
Col Floru has commanded at the Squadron, Group, and Wing level. He is a veteran of Desert Shield/Storm, Operations Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq and Turkey, Provide Relief in Somalia, support missions in Bosnia, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Most recently he served as Commander, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Afghanistan where he led the largest airlift squadron in theater.
EDUCATION:
1985 Bachelor of Science: Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
1994 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2005 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2008 Master of National Security and Strategic Studies: US Naval War College, Newport, RI
2008 College of Naval Warfare, US Naval War College, Newport, RI
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. April 1989 - April 1990, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 26th Flying Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
2. May 1990 - September 1990, C-130E Initial Pilot Qualification Training, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
3. September 1990 - November 1994, Co-Pilot, C-130E, 143d Tactical Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
4. November 1994 - December 2001, Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 143d Tactical Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, RI
5. December 2001 - March 2009, Instructor Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
6. December 2001 - June 2004, Chief Pilot, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
7. July 2004 - June 2007, Chief, Current Operations, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
8. June 2007 - June 2008, College of Naval Warfare, United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
7. April 2008 - June 2010, Commander, 143d Operations Support Flight, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
9. March 2009 - Present, Evaluator/Instructor Aircraft Commander, C-130J, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
10. March 2010 - May 2010, Commander, 774th EAS, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
11. July 2010 - Feb 2012, Commander, 143d Operations Group, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
12. Feb 2012 - Present, Commander, 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,900
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, C-130E, and C-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Meritorious Unit Award (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor device and 2 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Combat Readiness Medal (with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars)
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (with Gold Border and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 5 'M' Devices and Silver Hourglass)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant 6 April 1989
First Lieutenant 6 May 1991
Captain 10 July 1993
Major 20 Jan 2000
Lieutenant Colonel 25 April 2005
Colonel 26 May 2011
(Current as of June 2012)
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