Lieutenant Colonel Kelly A. Barton is the Commander of the 142d Mission Support Group, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Oregon. The Mission Support Group is comprised of over 400 personnel supporting Civil Engineering, Communications, Contracting, Environmental, Security Forces, Logistics Readiness, and Force Support organizations. The readiness of the personnel and equipment under her charge are used in the execution of the F-15 Eagle Aerospace Control Alert mission defending the Pacific Northwest, worldwide deployments supporting national objectives, and domestic operations activities as directed by the Governor.
Lt Col Barton graduated from Oregon State University and commissioned as a 2d Lt through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in June 2005 into the Active-Duty Air Force. She graduated as distinguished graduate of Manpower and Personnel Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. in June 2006. As a Personnel Officer, she has served in many roles within the Force Support community to include Section Commander, Officer in Charge of Readiness, Military Personnel Section Chief, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. She deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, where she was tasked with duties outside her assignment to work within the local community and support counter-insurgency efforts and promoting the rights of women and children. In October 2011, she joined the Oregon Air National Guard as a Force Support Officer. She served in multiple positions within the Force Support Squadron, to include personnel, services and the Fatality Search and Recovery Team. She also served as the Chief, Airmen and Family Programs at the National Guard Bureau, where she developed and interpreted policy and guidance for 105,000 Airmen across the 54 states and territories, overseeing the congressionally mandated Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, and managing and executing a budget of over $44 million.
Lt Col Barton was selected as the 142 Force Support Squadron Commander in 2019 where she led 49 Airmen and civilian personnel who support the readiness, development, morale, and welfare of the 1,400 wing members and advised wing leadership and interpreting over 425 A1 instructions and directives. During her Command she completed three domestic operations deployments.in support of the Fatality Search and Recovery Team and two consecutive COVID-19 Joint Task Force assignments. Prior to her current assignment she was assigned as the Oregon National Guard Deputy Director of Staff, where she led the Recruiting and Retention program, served six General Officers, and advised on A1 matters encompassing two wings, 2300 Airmen and 16 unique mission sets.
EDUCATION
2005 Bachelor of Science, Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Master’s in Business Administration, Human Resources, Touro University, Cypress, Calif.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington D. C.
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Commander Leadership Course, Andrews AFB, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2005–November 2007, Section Commander, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron, Minot AFB, N. D.
2. November 2007–August 2008, OIC, Readiness, 5th Force Support Squadron, Minot AFB, N. D.
3. August 2008–July 2009, Chief, Customer Service, 435th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
4. July 2009–May 2010, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 86 ABW, Ramstein AB, Germany
5. May 2010–July 2010 Chief, Force Management, 786th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
6. July 2010–September 2011, Chief, Military Personnel Section, 786th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
7. October 2011–July 2012, Force Support Officer, 142d Force Support Squadron, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore.
8. July 2012–July 2013, Transition Assistance Program Manager, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
9. July 2013–July 2015, Chief, Airmen and Family Programs, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
10. August 2015–December 17, OIC, Sustainment Services Flight; 142d Force Support Squadron, Portland ANGB, Portland, Ore.
11. August 2015–December 17, OIC, Fatality Search & Recovery Team, Portland ANGB, Portland, Ore.
12. January 18–August 2019, Director, Manpower & Personnel, Headquarters National Guard Oregon Air Component, Salem, Ore.
13. August 2019-June 2022, Commander, 142d Force Support Squadron, Portland ANGB, Portland, Ore.
14. June 2022-November 2023, Deputy Director of Staff, National Guard Oregon-Air, Salem, Ore.
15. November 2023-Present, Mission Support Group Commander, Portland ANGB, Portland, Ore.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
AF Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Services Ribbon with Gold Border
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Oregon National Guard Superior Unit Citation
Oregon Faithful Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 12, 2005
First Lieutenant July 12, 2007
Captain July 12, 2009
Major July 14, 2013
Lt Colonel May 5, 2018
(Current as of January 2024)