Colonel Joel K. Darbro is the 190th Operations Group Commander, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, Topeka, KS. The wing provides combat ready KC-135R crews to provide worldwide in-flight refueling for military aircraft of the United States and its allies as directed by the Department of Defense and to support Global Reach/Global Power for America.

Raised in Elk City, Kansas, Colonel Darbro attended Wichita State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He received his commission in April of 1991 from the Academy of Military Science. His military career began at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX attending Undergraduate Pilot Training. He graduated from the Combat Crew Training Squadron at Castle AFB, California in 1992 where he trained to fly the KC-135R. He maintains currency as an Instructor, Evaluator and Functional Check Pilot and has logged over 3500 flight hours.

He has served in Operations Northern Watch, Deny Flight, Deliberate Forge, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.

EDUCATION:
1990 Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Wichita State University
1991 Academy of Military Science
1999 Squadron Officers School, Correspondence
2002 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS:
He has served the Wing since 1990 as a Pilot (Instructor and Evaluator) and has held leadership positions to include OIC Quality Assurance, Aircrew Tactics Officer, Chief of Training and Tactics and currently as the Operations Support Flight Commander.

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight Hours: 3500+
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135 D/E/R models

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one device
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one device
Combat Readiness Medal with three devices
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short with one device
Air Force Longevity Service with two devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 3 "M" devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS/ACTIVITIES:
Member of National Guard Association of the United States
Member of National Guard Association of Kansas

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:
Second Lieutenant: 11 April 1991
First Lieutenant: 19 April 1993
Captain: 20 April 1995
Major: 4 December 1999
Lieutenant Colonel: 18 January 2005
Colonel: 22 July 2009