Col. Jonathan S. Kinard is the deputy commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. He is responsible for Air Combat Command’s fleet of E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft and ground-based control and reporting centers supporting combatant commanders worldwide. He leads more than 2,800 personnel at four Air Force bases and manages resources that include E-3 aircraft and control and reporting centers valued at $9 billion. Kinard also oversees Air Combat Command’s largest programmed flying training Unit and its non-aircraft-specific functional training.
Kinard received his commission in 2003 through Officer Training School. He has served in a variety of roles as an evaluator air battle manager and has more than 1,700 flight hours in E-3 aircraft, including more than 200 combat hours in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Additionally, he executed more than 200 missions in support of armistice operations and major live-fly exercises in Korea using the Battlespace Command and Control Center–Air Force weapon system. He also served on the Headquarters Air Force staff, where he managed future requirements for command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Prior to his current assignment, Kinard served as the senior military assistant to the director for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of War for Operational Test and Evaluation, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION
2000 — Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
2003 — Master of Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
2004 — Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 — Distinguished Graduate and Top Scope, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2005 — Distinguished Graduate, E-3 Initial Qualification Training, Tinker AFB, Okla.
2008 — Distinguished Graduate, Instructor Air Weapons Officer Training, Tinker AFB, Okla.
2008 — Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 — Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 — Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2015 — Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 — Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 — Master of Strategic Studies with Academic Distinction, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
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July 2003–September 2003, Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
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September 2003–May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Management Training, 325th Air Control Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
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May 2005–April 2006, Student, E-3 Air Battle Manager Qualification Training, 552d Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
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April 2006–October 2008, Instructor Air Battle Manager and Deputy Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
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October 2008–July 2009, Assistant Flight Commander, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
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July 2009–December 2009, Student, Air Battle Manager Weapons Instructor Course, 8th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
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December 2009–June 2010, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 552d Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
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June 2010–July 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 621st Air Control Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea.
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July 2011–June 2014, Instructor Air Battle Manager and Assistant Director of Operations, 8th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
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June 2014–June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
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June 2015–June 2016, Chief, Airborne Command and Control Requirements, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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June 2016–June 2017, Executive Officer to the Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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June 2017–May 2018, Deputy Division Chief, Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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May 2018–May 2019, Director of Operations, 621st Air Control Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea.
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May 2019–May 2021, Commander, 621st Air Control Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea.
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May 2021–June 2022, Executive Officer to the Commander, Seventh Air Force, Osan AB, Republic of Korea.
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June 2022–June 2023, Instructor, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Leader Development Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
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June 2023–May 2024, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
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May 2024–May 2026, Senior Military Assistant to the Director for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of War for Operational Test and Evaluation, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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May 2026–present, Deputy Commander, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
May 2024–May 2026, Senior Military Assistant to the Director for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of War for Operational Test and Evaluation, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a colonel.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Air Battle Manager
Flight hours: More than 1,700, including 256 combat hours
Aircraft: E-3B/C/G; Battle Control Center
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 15, 2003
First Lieutenant Sept. 15, 2005
Captain Sept. 15, 2007
Major Dec. 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 2018
Colonel May 1, 2024
(Current as of Sept. 10, 2026)