Colonel Bradley G. Hinkle is the 190th Operations Group Commander, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas. As the Operations Group Commander, he directs the employment of the Wing's 12 assigned KC-135R aircraft and provides leadership for the 117th Air Refueling Squadron, the 190th Operations Support Squadron, and the 127th Weather Flight. He coordinates with AMC, 18th AF, and NGB to direct the training and employment of more than 20 combat crews supporting rapid global mobility airpower in support of worldwide combat, contingency, and humanitarian operations while simultaneously maintaining readiness for the Air Force's nuclear deterrence enterprise.
Born in Ohio and raised in Olathe, Kansas, Col Hinkle was selected as the Kansas High School Gatorade Player of the Year in 1986 and was a high school academic All American. He attended the University of Kansas and lettered 4 years in baseball while attaining a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. He was selected for pilot training by the 190th ARW in 1991, commissioned in 1992, and graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training from Columbus AFB, MS in 1993. He completed Combat Crew Training at Castle AFB, CA in March of 1994 flying the last of the “A” models. Col Hinkle completed the USAF Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officers Course at Sheppard AFB, TX in 2011.
At the 190th ARW, Col Hinkle has served as the Deputy Maintenance Group Commander, Maintenance Squadron Commander, Chief of Current Operations, 117th ARS Squadron Executive Officer, Formal Training Unit Cadre, 117th Flying Safety Officer, Unit Deployment Manager, Life Support Officer, and Evaluator Pilot. He is a Command Pilot with over 4,000 military hours in the T-37, T-38, and KC-135 A/D/E/R. His commercial flying experience includes B-727 Flight Engineer and MD-80 First Officer duties. He has served his country by direct participation in operations Deny Flight, Restore Hope, Deliberate Guard, Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, and Unified Protector.
Col Hinkle resides in Lenexa, KS with his wife Beri, and has two sons, Cole and Cody.
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Kansas University
1992 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson, TN
1993 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
1996 Squadron Officer School
1996 Life Support Officer Course, Randolph AFB, TX
2004 Air Command and Staff College
2004 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
2008 Intermediate Development Leadership Course, Knoxville, TN
2010 Air War College
2012 Safety Board President Course, Milwaukee, WI
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1992 – August 1993, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
2. October 1993 – March 1994, Combat Crew Training, Castle AFB, CA
3. March 1994 – Present, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, KS
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3500
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, KC135 A/D/E/R
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal, 1 Device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal, 1 Device
Air Force Longevity Service, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon
Kansas National Guard State Emergency Duty Service Ribbon
Kansas National Guard Service Medal
Kansas National Guard Achievement Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of Kansas
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, July 30, 1992
First Lieutenant, Aug. 22, 1994
Captain, Aug. 22, 1996
Major, Feb. 2, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel, Jan. 16, 2008
Colonel, July 5, 2017