Col Marjorie L. “Marjie” Norton is the Deputy Commander of the 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan. The Wing operates and maintains a fleet of 12 KC-135R aircraft and is comprised of 980 military personnel. The 190 ARW provides rapid global mobility airpower and deploys expeditionary forces in support of worldwide combat, contingency, and humanitarian operations while maintaining a nuclear deterrence tasking.
Born and raised in Northeast Kansas, Col Norton enlisted into the 127th Weather Flight, Kansas Air National Guard, March 1995 as a weather journeyman. After serving eight years and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, she was selected as the 190th Mission Support Group Execuitve Officer and received her commission through the Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn. She was chosen for pilot training by the 190 ARW and attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas; graduating September 2007. Being one of four student pilots selected specifically for the KC-135 Block 40 Test Course, she completed KC-135 Combat Crew Training at Altus AFB, Okla. In March 2008. She also completed the USAF Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course at Kirkland AFB, N.M. and the Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety Course at McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn. She served as the 117th Air Refueling Squadron Commander, 117 ARS C Flight Commander, 117 ARS Flight Safety Officer, and a Victim’s Advocate. Prior to her current position, Col Norton was the 190 MSG Commander.
Col Norton is an evaluator/instructor pilot logging over 3600 hours in the KC-135. She has served her country by direct participation in Operations Atlantic Resolve, Capitol Response, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and inherent Resolve. In addition, Col Norton has deployed multiple times for theater support in the Indo-Pacific region. She served as the Detachment Commander, 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam. In this role she was directly responsible for six KC-135 aircraft combing the efforts of 210+ Guard members from three states. In her civilian capacity, Col Norton is employed as a flight officer (pilot) with a major airline.
EDUCATION
1995 USAF Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1996 USAF Weather Journeyman Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2000 Non-Commissioned Officer Prep Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2000 Bachelor of Science, Geography, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
2002 Master of Art, Environmental Planning, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
2003 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2004 USAF Communication & Information Officer School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2007 USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2008 USAF KC-135 Combat Crew Training, Altus AFB, Okla.
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 USAF Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirkland AFB, N.M.
2015 Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety Course, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2016 USAF Central Flight Instructor Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Squadron Commander Course, Gulfport CRTC, Miss.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Commander Leadership Course, Washington, D.C.
2024 Director of Mobility Forces Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
ASSIGNMENTS
- March 1995 – September 2003, Weather Journeyman, 127 WF, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- October 2003 – July 2006, Executive Officer, 190 MSG, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- August 2006 – September 2007, Student, USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
- December 2007 – March 2008, Student, KC-135 Combat Crew Training, Altus AFB, Okal.
- April 2008 – November 2011, KC-135 First Pilot Qualified, 117 ARS, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan. (November 2009 – December 2009, Aircrew Planner/Scheduler, 90 EARS, Incirlik AB, Turkey) (, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
- December 2011 – April 2016, KC-135 Aircraft Commander, 117 ARS, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- September 2014 – October 2018, Flight Safety Officer, 190 ARW, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- May 2016 – November 2020, Instructor Aircraft Commander, 117 ARS, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- July 2019 – November 2020, Flight Commander, 117 ARS, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan. (November 2019 – January 2020, Detachment Commander, 506 EARS (18AF), Andersen AFB, Guam)
- December 2020 – April 2023, Commander, 117 ARS, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- May 2023 – May 2024, Commander, 190 MSG, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- May 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 190 ARW, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,600+
Combat Hours / Sorties: 1,400+ / 207
Combat Support Hours / Sorties: 35+ / 11
Aircraft Flown: T-6B, T-1A, KC-135R & T, A319, A320, A321
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Kansas National Guard Service Medal with two sunflower devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 Honor Graduate, Academy of Military Science
2007 Outstanding Officer, Undergraduate Pilot Training
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Air Line Pilots Association, International
National Guard Association of the United States, Life Member
National Guard Association of Kansas, Life Member
Women in Aviation, International
Women Military Aviators
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant November 21, 2003
First Lieutenant November 21, 2005
Captain November 21, 2007
Major October 3, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel August 15, 2018
Colonel July 27, 2023
(Current as of June 2024)