Col Thomas W. Keegan is the Commander of the 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Air National Guard Base, California. He leads over 1,000 Airmen in support of two distinct missions. The Wing’s federal mission is to provide Combat Search and Rescue capabilities and air refueling. As an Air National Guard unit, the Wing also supports the governor of California with domestic operations.
Col Keegan entered service in 1987 and served as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Marine Corps. In 1994, he transferred to the Army, where he attended Officer Candidate School and subsequently completed Flight School. In 1996, he transitioned to the California Army National Guard before transferring to the California Air National Guard in 2004. Throughout his career, Col Keegan has held various leadership roles, including Legislative Liaison Officer, Director of Strategic Communications, Air Operations Officer, and Commander of the Counterdrug Taskforce. He has over 36 years of service, 12 of which, have been in command positions. Col Keegan has completed four combat deployments to Afghanistan and Africa. Prior to his current position, Col Keegan served as the Deputy Commander of the 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Air National Guard Base, California.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Arts, Columbia College, Columbia Mo.
1999 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Juris Doctorate, Lincoln Law School, Sacramento, Calif.
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
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December 1987 – December 1991, A-4 Plane Captain, MAG 11, MAG 12, VMA 133
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December 1991 – January 1995, Aircraft Mechanic, Company B, 1st Battalion, 185th AVN, Fort Lewis, Wash.
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January 1995 – July 1996, Platoon Leader, Company B, 1st Battalion, 185th Air Assault, Fort Lewis, Wash.
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July 1996 – January 1998, Platoon Leader, Company A, 1st BN, 140th Air Assault, Mather, Calif.
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January 1998 – October 1999, Flight Platoon Leader, 126th Air Ambulance, Mather, Calif.
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October 1999 – October 2001, Operations Officer, 126th Air Ambulance, Mather, Calif.
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October 2001 – January 2004, Commander (AVUM), F-Troop, 18th Regiment (Air Cavalry), Los Alamitos, Calif.
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February 2004 – October 2006, Chief Pilot, 129th Rescue Squadron, Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif.
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October 2006 – October 2009, Flight Commander, 129th Rescue Squadron, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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October 2009 – January 2013, Director of Operations, 129th Rescue Squadron, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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January 2013 – February 2015, Evaluator Pilot HH-60G, 129th Operations Squadron, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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February 2015 – January 2019, Commander, 129th Operations Squadron, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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January 2019 – March 2021, Chief of Safety, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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March 2021 – May 2024, Director of Operations/A3, California Air National Guard, Sacramento, Calif.
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May 2024 – August 2024, Deputy Commander, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
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August 2024 – Present, Commander, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett ANGB, Calif.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,600
Aircraft flown: HH060G
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross with “V” device
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Earl T. Ricks Award, Outstanding Airmanship in the Air National Guard
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant January 24, 1994
First Lieutenant August 16, 1996
Captain July 21, 1999
Major June 25, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2012
Colonel May 24, 2021
(Current as of September 2024