Col Kevin Lord – USAF

Chair, US Air Force

Colonel Kevin M. Lord, USAF, joined the NWC as military faculty in July 2024. He was previously commander of the 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye. Prior to that he commanded the 20th Operations Group at Shaw Air Force Base, SC. Colonel Lord received his commission through the United States Air Force Academy in 2000. He holds three Master of Arts degrees from the University of Hawaii (International Relations), Air Command and Staff College (Military Operational Art and Science), and the National War College (National Security Studies).

Colonel Lord’s staff assignments include serving as the Director of the Joint Staff Special Access Programs Central Office at the Pentagon, the Chief of the Weapons and Tactics Branch at United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, and the Deputy Chief of the Commanders Action Group at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. He has commanded in the Air Force at the squadron, group, and wing level.

 

Col. Lord has over 1,900 flight hours in the T-37, T-38, T-38C, and F-16 (Blocks 25/30/40/42/50/52) and KC-135; he has undertaken multiple deployments across Southwest Asia and served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Director of Operations, and Wing Inspector General.

FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE: Fighter Operations, Strategy, Special Access Programs

REGIONAL EXPERTISE: Germany, Japan, Southwest Asia, Türkiye