Veteran combat pilot named Missouri Air National Guard chief of staff

By: Lt. John Quin
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs




JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri's adjutant general has named a new Air National Guard chief of staff who will bring Air Combat Command experience to the organization's leadership.

Col. Jon "JB" Kelk is one of the world's most experienced F-15 pilots and has racked up more than 4,000 flight hours in the Eagle. During Operation Desert Storm, while serving as a member of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, FL, he shot down the first aircraft of the war, an Iraqi Mig 29. Adjutant General Brig. Gen Stephen Danner said that experience will help strengthen the Missouri Air National Guard.

"Col. Kelk's 11 year active duty and 19 year Air National Guard experience and background are the perfect combination to be the Missouri Air National Guard's chief of staff," Danner said. "I look forward to working with him as we continue the excellent standard set by Brig Gen. Stephen Cotter as we move forward as a joint, Army and Air, organization."

Kelk said he is looking forward to working with the air staff to further the adjutant general's initiatives.

"What a thrill and an honor to be asked by your adjutant general to serve in this capacity," Kelk said. "I want to be the best supporting officer I can be, and I look forward to supporting the adjutant general and our wings."

As chief of staff, Kelk will be directly responsible for the air staff at headquarters and supporting Air National Guard units across the state. He will also be responsible for supporting the adjutant general's initiatives.

Kelk, who is now promotable to brigadier general, joins Cotter, the new assistant adjutant general for Air, and Brig. Gen. John Owen, the director of the joint staff, as the Missouri Air Guard's top leadership team. Cotter, who preceded Kelk as chief of staff, said adding a combat pilot to the mix makes the leadership exceptionally well rounded.

"I come from the mobility Air Force and Brig. Gen. Owen comes from the tankers," Cotter said. "Col. Kelk's Air Combat Command experience really gives us a lot more breadth and more capabilities."

Kelk said he is looking forward to working with Cotter and Owen and bringing his background as a combat pilot to the table.

"We can leverage our varied backgrounds, our differences, to understand the bigger picture," Kelk said. "We can play off each others' strengths and will become stronger as an organization." "The Air Force is constantly exploring new ways to win the fight: from manned to unmanned aircraft, cyber and space, the Missouri Air National Guard is well positioned to adapt these new capabilities in addition to our existing roles"

Owen agreed.

"Col. Kelk is very well qualified and we will certainly all work together well and accomplish a lot," Owen said. "Our diverse backgrounds add to the strength of our team, and we will work hard to support the adjutant general and the state."

With Cotter and Owen being from the west side of the state, Kelk who lives in St Louis, balances the leadership team geographically as well. Before coming to headquarters to serve as joint force headquarters director of operations for the Air National Guard, Kelk had served with what was then the 131st Fighter Wing in St. Louis.
　
Cotter said with the addition of Kelk as chief of staff, the future looks bright for the Missouri Air National Guard.

"We've got three passionate general officers now that are excited about what we're doing and where we're going as an organization," Cotter said.

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Posted: 5/3/2010 10:45:26 AM