Col. Richard J. Konopczynski III is the Deputy Commander, 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The wing is the largest tenant unit on Keesler AFB, with 1,600 reservists and 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The wing’s mission is to train, equip and employ airlift forces in global support of the nation’s interests. This includes tactical air-land and airdrop of personnel, supplies and equipment, aeromedical evacuation, and agile combat support. In addition, the wing performs the only aerial weather reconnaissance mission in the Department of Defense.
Col. Konopczynski commissioned into the Air Force via Officer Training School in February 2003. He has held a variety of positions throughout his career to include Flight Commander, Director of Operations, Chief of Tactics, Squadron Safety Officer, and Operations Support Squadron Tactician. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Commander of the 94th Operations Group, at the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
In the civilian sector, he held Senior Engineering and Management positions with leading aerospace and defense companies where he was responsible for the design, delivery and test of Department of Defense systems ranging from the more than $1 billion Army/Navy Portable, Radio, Communication-117F Multiband Manpack Radio to the $150 million Army/Navy FSQ-T34 Joint Threat Emitter. Most recently, Col. Konopczynski was recognized for his leadership in delivering the successful Electro-Optical Simulation system for the Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Survivability Equipment Test Line.
Col. Konopczynski is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours. He has deployed numerous times to Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, amassing more than 500 combat flying hours during hundreds of sorties. On his most recent deployment he was nominated to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s “Grand Slam, Hall of Fame” for his leadership, mentoring, mission commitment and focus on professional development.
EDUCATION:
1999 Associate of Applied Science, Electrical Technology, NCC College, Sanborn, N.Y.
2001 Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Tech, Rochester, N.Y.
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
2013 Executive Capture Strategy Course, Booth School of Business, Chicago, Ill.
2015 Master of Business Administration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y.
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1995 – November 2002, Satellite Communication, 914th Combat Communication Flight, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y.
2. November 2002 – February 2003, Officer Candidate, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
3. March 2003 – October 2004, Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training
4. October 2004 – March 2007, Mobility Pilot, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
5. March 2007 – October 2011, Flying Safety Officer, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
6. October 2011 – December 2012, Wing Tactics Officer, 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
7. December 2012 – May 2015, Aircraft Commander, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
8. May 2015 – April 2017, Flight Commander, 328th AS, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
9. April 2017 – August 2019, Chief of Tactics, 94th OSS, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
10. August 2019 – July 2023, Director of Operations, 700th AS, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
11. July 2023 – September 2025, Commander, 94th OG, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
12 September 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, 403rd Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss.
CIVILIAN ASSIGNMENTS
2001 – 2005, Electrical Engineer, Mobile Combat Radios, Harris Corporation, Rochester, N.Y.
2005 – 2010, Lead System Engineer, Electro-Optical/Infrared and Combat Range Products, Northrup Grumman, N.Y.
2010 – 2017, Manager, Systems Engineering, Lab and Range Systems, Northrup Grumman, N.Y.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot, Evaluator Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,000+ (500 Combat)
Aircraft Flown: T-37, TC-12, C-130H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with two devices
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hourglass devices and two ‘M’ devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one device
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Reserve Officers Association, Life Member
Association of Old Crows
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
94th AW Field Grade Officer of the Year 2021
379th AEW Grand Slam, Hall of Fame Inductee
Aircraft Commander School, distinguished graduate
Basic Military Training, honor graduate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 21, 2003
First Lieutenant February 21, 2005
Captain February 21, 2007
Major April 12, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel August 31, 2018
Colonel August 6, 2023
(Current as of September 2025)