BIOGRAPHY
COLONEL MICHAEL B. KOSDERKA
Colonel Michael B. Kosderka is the Commander, 142d Wing, Portland, Oregon. He leads over 1,400 personnel with the execution, support, and maintenance of the F-15C Eagle Air Superiority Mission, Special Tactics Operations, Aerospace Control, and Expeditionary Weather for worldwide deployments in support of national objectives and domestic operations activities as directed by the Governor.
Colonel Kosderka has spent all 24 years of his career in the Oregon Air National Guard. His other assignments include Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Kingsley Field, Oregon, and Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He has been deployed in support of contingency operations throughout the world including Operation Noble Eagle. Colonel Kosderka received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Science in 1998 from Linfield College, Oregon and a Master’s in Business Administration from Willamette University, Oregon.
Prior to his selection as the Commander, Colonel Kosderka was the Commander of the 142d Maintenance Group leading 500 Airmen in F-15C/D maintenance; Commander of the 142d Maintenance Squadron, leading 250 Airmen in back shop F15C/D maintenance, Commander of the 142d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron guiding 187 Airmen to the highest levels of F-15C/D readiness; Commander and Comptroller of the 142d Comptroller Flight managing $2 Billion of total assets. In 2007, Colonel Kosderka graduated from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and became the chief instructor at the 123d Fighter Squadron. Additionally, Colonel Kosderka served as the 123d Fighter Squadron and 142d Fighter Wing’s Chief of Weapons and Tactics while chairing the ANG F-15C Weapons Officer council. In 2011, he was selected for a six-month tour on the NGB/A8 staff in strategic plans and programs. In 2012, he returned to Oregon and was assigned to the 142d Medical Group as the full-time Medical Service Corp Officer. After spending two years in the Medical Group, he was hand selected to be the first Oregon Air National Guard Executive Officer to The Adjutant General.
EDUCATION:
1998 Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Linfield College, McMinnville, OR
2007 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2014 Masters of Business Administration, Willamette University, Salem, OR
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2016 Joint and Combined Warfighting School – Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA
2018 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. January 2001 - February 2001: Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN
2. May 2001 - June 2002: Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
3. July 2002 – September 2002: Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Training, Moody AFB, GA
4. October 2002 – April 2003: F-15C Initial Qualification Training, Kingsley Field, OR
5. April 2003 – April 2006: Mission Pilot, 142d Fighter Wing, Portland, OR
6. May 2006 - May 2007: Instructor Pilot, 142d Fighter Wing, Portland OR
7. June 2007 – January 2010: Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 142d Fighter Wing, Portland, OR
8. February 2010 – June 2011: Chief of Scheduling, 123d Fighter Squadron, Portland, OR
9. July 2011 – December 2011: Strategic Plans and Programs Action Officer, NGB/A8X, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, MD
10. January 2012 – January 2014: Deputy Medical Group Commander, 142d Fighter Wing, Portland, OR
11. February 2014 – February 2015: Executive Officer to The Adjutant General, Joint Force Headquarters, Salem, OR
12. March 2015 – July 2017: Commander, 142d Comptroller Flight, Portland, OR
13. July 2017 – August 2018: Commander, 142d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Portland, OR
14. August 2018 – June 2020: Commander, 142d Maintenance Squadron, Portland, OR
15. June 2020 – September 2020: Deputy Commander, 142d Maintenance Group, Portland OR
16. September 2020 – December 2021, Commander, 142d Maintenance Group, Portland OR
17. December 2021 – November 2023, Director of Staff – Air Oregon Air National Guard, Salem OR
18. December 2023 – Present, Commander, 142d Wing, Portland OR
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 1500
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38A/C, F-15A/B/C/D
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (1 Device)
Air Force Commendation Medal (1 Device)
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5 Devices)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal (1 Device)
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal (6 Devices)
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Medal (4 Devices)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 Device)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Oregon National Guard Superior Unit Citation (1 Device)
Oregon Faithful Service Medal (2 Devices)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2002 AETC Flying Award, Undergraduate Pilot Training
Distinguished Graduate, F-15 Pilot Training
Top-Gun, F-15 Pilot Training
Instructor Pilot of the Year 2007, 142d Fighter Wing
Officer of the Quarter, March 2013, 142d Medical Group
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant February 16, 2001
First Lieutenant February 16, 2003
Captain March 22, 2005
Major March 10, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel October 22, 2014
Colonel December 1, 2020
(Current as of December 2023)