Colonel Rebecca Gray,
Acting Commander of the 111th Attack Wing
Colonel Rebecca A. Gray is the highly decorated Acting Commander of the 111th Attack Wing at Biddle Air Base, which in addition to its mission of helping to defend the USA, has also become a primary housing and transit point for many of our Afghani allies who have escaped the Taliban. She is a world class athlete, recruited to the US Air Force Academy where she became a 3 time All American Springboard Diver; an educational entrepreneur who co-founded an 800+ student kindergarten through 8th grade dual language English and Mandarin Chinese Charter School; an Executive with a private sector Fortune 200 Company, and a wife and a mother of 3 16-year old daughters. (Full bio below).
In a conversation with Denis Bovin, she will talk about some of the current responsibilities of the US Air Force; unique perspectives she has gained from her accomplishments and her work at the intersections of the public sector, private sector and personal responsibilities and as a woman in today’s military and industrial worlds.
***
Colonel Rebecca A. Gray is the Vice Commander, 111th Attack Wing at Biddle Air National Guard Based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. She is responsible for assisting the commander with supervising the wing and its subordinate units which include: 111th Operations Group, the 111th Medical Group, the 111th Mission Support Group and the 201st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron (RED HORSE) Detachment 1. The wing supports multi-domain global operations, safeguarding the homeland and supporting Pennsylvania communities by building partnerships with local civil authorities. Col. Gray also serves on the State Joint Diversity Council for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and represents Pennsylvania on the Joint Diversity Executive Council for Region 3. Prior to joining the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Colonel Gray served as Director of Staff, Georgia Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Dobbins Air Reserve Air Force Base, Georgia. As Director of Staff, she was responsible for advising the Adjutant General and the Assistant Adjutant General on all Air National Guard issues and requirements and supervised the Georgia Air National Guard headquarters staff, providing oversight to two flying wings, six geographically separated units and the Combat Readiness Training Center.
Upon graduating as a three time All-American in springboard diving from United States Air Force Academy, Colonel Gray graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her active duty commission in 1994. Following technical school, she served in various active duty units in a number of assignments overseeing base-wide food service, lodging, fitness, child and youth development programs and mortuary affairs. Following active duty, she joined the Air Force Reserve and held flight and squadron command. She also served at the Air Force Special Operations Command Services Agency. Colonel Gray is a graduate of the Secretary of Defense Fortune 500 Corporate Fellowship Program where her research focused on changes and trends in the electric utility industry and its impact on the Department of Defense. Prior to her Fellowship, Colonel Gray was the Director of Strategic Plans, Georgia Air National Guard, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
In her civilian capacity, Colonel Gray has served as CEO of a non-profit targeting urban neighborhoods with an emphasis on new construction, affordable housing, youth and senior programs and economic development. Her work culminated in co-founding an 800 plus student, kindergarten through 8th grade, dual language English and Mandarin Chinese charter school. Colonel Gray is currently employed at the headquarters of a Fortune 200 media and telecommunications company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2001 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2001 International Junior Officer Leadership Seminar, Ronneby, Sweden
2003 Masters of Arts, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
2003 AFIT Services Leadership Course, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2009 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 FEMA Intermediate Incident Command Systems, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
2010 FEMA Advanced Incident Command System Complex Incidents, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
2011 International Women’s Forum Fellow, Harvard University, Mass. and Cambridge University, England
2011 Air War College, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, in residence, Georgia Power Company, Ga.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 1994 – June 1995, Executive Officer, 50th Mission Support Group, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- June 1995 – September 1995, Chief, Military Personnel Flight, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- September 1995 – February 1996, Squadron Section Commander, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- February 1996 – April 1998, Deputy Director Services Division, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- April 1998 – April 2000, Services Officer, Kessler AFB, Miss.
- April 2000 – February 2002, Commander, Combat Support Flight, 325th Services (SVS), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- February 2002 – November 2006, Commander, 16th SVS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- November 2006 – January 2009, Chief, Military Support Branch, AFSOC SVS Agency, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- January 2009 – June 2011, Staff Officer, Georgia ANG SVS C2 Team, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- June 2011 – June 2012, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Georgia Power Company, Atlanta, Ga.
- June 2012 – September 2014, Staff Officer, Georgia ANG, SVS C2 Team, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- September 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 116th Force Support Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
- June 2016 – October 2017, Inspector General, 116th Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
- October 2017 – December 2018, Director of Strategic Plans, Georgia ANG, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- December 2018 – August 2020, Director of Staff, Georgia Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- August 2020 – June 2021, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
- June 2021 – Present, Vice Commander, 111th Air Attack Wing, Biddle Air Guard Base, Horsham, Pa.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1994
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major March 25, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 30, 2009
Colonel Dec. 30, 2018
Acting Commander of the 111th Attack Wing
Colonel Rebecca A. Gray is the highly decorated Acting Commander of the 111th Attack Wing at Biddle Air Base, which in addition to its mission of helping to defend the USA, has also become a primary housing and transit point for many of our Afghani allies who have escaped the Taliban. She is a world class athlete, recruited to the US Air Force Academy where she became a 3 time All American Springboard Diver; an educational entrepreneur who co-founded an 800+ student kindergarten through 8th grade dual language English and Mandarin Chinese Charter School; an Executive with a private sector Fortune 200 Company, and a wife and a mother of 3 16-year old daughters. (Full bio below).
In a conversation with Denis Bovin, she will talk about some of the current responsibilities of the US Air Force; unique perspectives she has gained from her accomplishments and her work at the intersections of the public sector, private sector and personal responsibilities and as a woman in today’s military and industrial worlds.
***
Colonel Rebecca A. Gray is the Vice Commander, 111th Attack Wing at Biddle Air National Guard Based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. She is responsible for assisting the commander with supervising the wing and its subordinate units which include: 111th Operations Group, the 111th Medical Group, the 111th Mission Support Group and the 201st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron (RED HORSE) Detachment 1. The wing supports multi-domain global operations, safeguarding the homeland and supporting Pennsylvania communities by building partnerships with local civil authorities. Col. Gray also serves on the State Joint Diversity Council for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and represents Pennsylvania on the Joint Diversity Executive Council for Region 3. Prior to joining the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Colonel Gray served as Director of Staff, Georgia Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Dobbins Air Reserve Air Force Base, Georgia. As Director of Staff, she was responsible for advising the Adjutant General and the Assistant Adjutant General on all Air National Guard issues and requirements and supervised the Georgia Air National Guard headquarters staff, providing oversight to two flying wings, six geographically separated units and the Combat Readiness Training Center.
Upon graduating as a three time All-American in springboard diving from United States Air Force Academy, Colonel Gray graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her active duty commission in 1994. Following technical school, she served in various active duty units in a number of assignments overseeing base-wide food service, lodging, fitness, child and youth development programs and mortuary affairs. Following active duty, she joined the Air Force Reserve and held flight and squadron command. She also served at the Air Force Special Operations Command Services Agency. Colonel Gray is a graduate of the Secretary of Defense Fortune 500 Corporate Fellowship Program where her research focused on changes and trends in the electric utility industry and its impact on the Department of Defense. Prior to her Fellowship, Colonel Gray was the Director of Strategic Plans, Georgia Air National Guard, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
In her civilian capacity, Colonel Gray has served as CEO of a non-profit targeting urban neighborhoods with an emphasis on new construction, affordable housing, youth and senior programs and economic development. Her work culminated in co-founding an 800 plus student, kindergarten through 8th grade, dual language English and Mandarin Chinese charter school. Colonel Gray is currently employed at the headquarters of a Fortune 200 media and telecommunications company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EDUCATION
Upon graduating as a three time All-American in springboard diving from United States Air Force Academy, Colonel Gray graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her active duty commission in 1994. Following technical school, she served in various active duty units in a number of assignments overseeing base-wide food service, lodging, fitness, child and youth development programs and mortuary affairs. Following active duty, she joined the Air Force Reserve and held flight and squadron command. She also served at the Air Force Special Operations Command Services Agency. Colonel Gray is a graduate of the Secretary of Defense Fortune 500 Corporate Fellowship Program where her research focused on changes and trends in the electric utility industry and its impact on the Department of Defense. Prior to her Fellowship, Colonel Gray was the Director of Strategic Plans, Georgia Air National Guard, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
In her civilian capacity, Colonel Gray has served as CEO of a non-profit targeting urban neighborhoods with an emphasis on new construction, affordable housing, youth and senior programs and economic development. Her work culminated in co-founding an 800 plus student, kindergarten through 8th grade, dual language English and Mandarin Chinese charter school. Colonel Gray is currently employed at the headquarters of a Fortune 200 media and telecommunications company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2001 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2001 International Junior Officer Leadership Seminar, Ronneby, Sweden
2003 Masters of Arts, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
2003 AFIT Services Leadership Course, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2009 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 FEMA Intermediate Incident Command Systems, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
2010 FEMA Advanced Incident Command System Complex Incidents, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
2001 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2001 International Junior Officer Leadership Seminar, Ronneby, Sweden
2003 Masters of Arts, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
2003 AFIT Services Leadership Course, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2009 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 FEMA Intermediate Incident Command Systems, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
2010 FEMA Advanced Incident Command System Complex Incidents, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
2011 International Women’s Forum Fellow, Harvard University, Mass. and Cambridge University, England
2011 Air War College, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, in residence, Georgia Power Company, Ga.
ASSIGNMENTS
2011 Air War College, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, in residence, Georgia Power Company, Ga.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 1994 – June 1995, Executive Officer, 50th Mission Support Group, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- June 1995 – September 1995, Chief, Military Personnel Flight, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- September 1995 – February 1996, Squadron Section Commander, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- February 1996 – April 1998, Deputy Director Services Division, 50th MSS, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- April 1998 – April 2000, Services Officer, Kessler AFB, Miss.
- April 2000 – February 2002, Commander, Combat Support Flight, 325th Services (SVS), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- February 2002 – November 2006, Commander, 16th SVS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- November 2006 – January 2009, Chief, Military Support Branch, AFSOC SVS Agency, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- January 2009 – June 2011, Staff Officer, Georgia ANG SVS C2 Team, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- June 2011 – June 2012, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Georgia Power Company, Atlanta, Ga.
- June 2012 – September 2014, Staff Officer, Georgia ANG, SVS C2 Team, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- September 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 116th Force Support Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
- June 2016 – October 2017, Inspector General, 116th Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
- October 2017 – December 2018, Director of Strategic Plans, Georgia ANG, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- December 2018 – August 2020, Director of Staff, Georgia Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
- August 2020 – June 2021, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
- June 2021 – Present, Vice Commander, 111th Air Attack Wing, Biddle Air Guard Base, Horsham, Pa.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device
Air Force Training Ribbon
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1994
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major March 25, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 30, 2009
Colonel Dec. 30, 2018
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major March 25, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 30, 2009
Colonel Dec. 30, 2018
