Colonel MATTHEW E. “MOOSE” QUENICHET

Col Matthew E. Quenichet is Wing Commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, located in Louisville, Kentucky. He provides leadership to more than 1,200 Airmen organized in five groups to support both domestic operations and overseas combat missions. The wing is equipped with C-130J Super Hercules aircraft capable of conducting tactical airlift and combat airdrop sorties. Other key missions include the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron comprised of combat controllers and pararescuemen, and the Air National Guard's only operational Contingency Response Group. Col Quenichet entered the United States Air Force after graduating from Purdue University in 1998 and received his commission from Officer Training School. He attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training and then follow on C-130 Navigator training. After his first operational assignment, he returned to teach Undergraduate Navigator Training to Air Force and Navy students in the T-43A. Then as the Chief of Navigator Programs, he was part of the team responsible for establishing Combat Systems Officer training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. In December of 2007, he left the Active Duty and joined the 165th Airlift Squadron,

Kentucky Air National Guard. As a guard member he has served as Navigator Scheduler, Chief of Training, Weapons Officer, Director of Operations, and the 165th Airlift Squadron Commander. His career spans 26 years and includes participation in Operations JOINT FORGE, ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to assuming his current position, Col Quenichet was the Commander of the 123rd Operations Group, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, KY. EDUCATION 1998 Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology (Admin), Purdue University, West Lafayette, In. 2000 Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas 2000 C-130E Navigator Basic/Mission Qualification, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. 2003 C-130E Navigator Instructor Course, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. 2004 T-43A Instructor Navigator Qualification Course, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 2005 Squadron Officer School in Residence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 2008 Masters in Business Administration, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas 2009 Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course, St. Joseph, Mo. 2010 United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. 2012 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) in Correspondence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 2014 ANG Commander’s Intermediate Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland 2018 Air War College (AWC) in Correspondence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS
1.November 1998 – February 1999, Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2.March 1999 – April 2000, Air Force Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
3.June 2000 – December 2000, AF C-130 Navigator Initial Qualification/Mission, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
4.December 2000 – December 2003, Instructor Navigator, 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
5.December 2003 – November 2005, Instructor Navigator, 562nd Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
6.November 2005 – June 2006, Chief, T-43A Stan/Eval Navigator, 12th Operation Group, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
7.June 2006 – December 2007, NAF Chief, T-43A Navigator Programs, Evaluator, 19th Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
8.December 2007 – June 2013, Instructor Navigator, 165th Airlift Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
9.June 2013 – October 2017, Director of Operations, 165th Airlift Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
10.February 2015 – May 2015, Director of Operations, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
11.October 2017 – August 2020, Commander, 165th Airlift Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
12.March 2018 – June 2018, Commander, 737/779th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait
13.August 2020 – October 2024, Commander, 123rd Operations Group, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
14.October 2024 – Present, Commander, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.


FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Master Navigator Flight Hours: 3,694 Aircraft Flown: C-130 E/H/J, T-43A, T-6, T-1

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal w/ 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Navy Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor Device and 10 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/ Gold Border and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon w/ 5 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2004 19th Air Force Undergraduate Navigator Instructor of the Year