Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Walsh II is the commander of the 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. As commander, he is responsible for providing vital mission support through manpower and personnel, services sustainment, force development, Airman and family services, community services along with mortuary affairs, honor guard, and installation readiness. He oversees a squadron comprised of 89 facilities, 700 employees, with an Appropriated Fund budget of $20M annually and Nonappropriated Fund revenues exceeding $8M annually. The force support squadron supports more than 40,000 military, civilian, family member and retiree personnel and over 90 associate units that include the United States Strategic Command and Air Force Weather Agency.

Lieutenant Colonel Walsh is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and earned his commission in 1994 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is a career personnel officer and has served in various personnel management assignments at all levels, including squadron, wing, MAJCOM, AFPC, Air Staff, and joint/combined deployments.

Lieutenant Colonel Walsh is married to the former Holly P. Patrick of Houston, Texas. They have three children, Kaley (9), Thomas (7) and Patrick (4).

EDUCATION

1994 BA in Physical Education (University of Texas at Arlington)
1999 Squadron Officer School (In-Residence)
2002 MA Business Administration (Webster University)
2004 Air Command and Staff College (Non-residence)
2008 Air Command and Staff College (In Residence)
2008 MS in Military Operational Art and Science (Air University)

ASSIGNMENTS

1. August 1994 – February 1996: Chief, Personnel Relocations and Employment, 30th Mission Support Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA
2. February 1996 – November 1996: Chief, Customer Support, 30th Mission Support Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA
3. November 1996 – June 1997: Section Commander, 30th Mission Support Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA
4. June 1997 – December 1997: Executive Officer, Director, Personnel Accountability, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX
5. December 1997 – July 1999: Chief, Intermediate Service School Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX
6. July 1999 – June 2000: Executive Officer, Assignment Programs and Procedures Division, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX
7. June 2000 – July 2003: Assistant Professor Aerospace Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
8. July 2003 – April 2005: Commander, Military Personnel Flight, 341st Mission Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT
9. April 2005 – June 2006: Deputy Director of Protocol, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO
10. June 2006 – December 2006: Chief, Support Officer Assignments, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Service, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO
11. December 2006 – August 2007: Executive Officer/Chief, Support Officer Assignments, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel and Service, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO
12. August 2007 – June 2008: Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
13. June 2008 – January 2009: Chief, Civilian Developmental Education, Directorate of Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower & Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C.
14. January 2009 – July 2011: Chief, Headquarters Air Force Executive Secretariat Military Personnel Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C.
15. August 2010 – March 2011: Senior Advisor, Echelon Above Division-Advise & Train, United States Forces-Iraq, Iraq Advise & Train Mission-Army, Tallil, Iraq
16. July 2011 – Present: Commander, 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf
AF Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
AF Training Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant June 22, 1994
First Lieutenant June 22, 1996
Captain June 22, 1998
Major December 1, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel November 1, 2009

(Current as of 18 Aug 2011)

Mr. Thomas C. Fahrer is the Deputy Director of the 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Along with the Commander, he oversees a Force Support Squadron comprised of 89 facilities,600 employees, with an Appropriated Fund budget of $20M annually and Nonappropriated Fund revenues exceeding $8M annually. Offutt’s Force Support activities include a 220K SF Fitness Center; 18-Hole Golf Course with Pro Shop and Restaurant; Collocated Club; 210-Room Lodging operation, 2 large Child Development Centers, a Youth Center operation; Community Activity Center; Outdoor Recreation with Marina and Family Camping operations; Auto Skills; Frame & Design; Aero Club; Resource Management section; APF and NAF Civilian Personnel Offices; Airman & Family Readiness Center; Marketing Office and more.

Mr. Fahrer entered into federal service in October 1982 after earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska. He is a career Force Support professional who has served as the Director of Services at Arnold AFB, Tennessee and the Deputy Director of Services at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming and at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. He also served as a staff officer for the MWR Directorate, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

During his tenure at Spangdahlem AB, Germany he directed the 52d Services Squadron during Operation Allied Force where the first combat missions were flown from Germany since WWII. While at F. E. Warren AFB, he served as the Logistics Chairman for Operation Diligent Warrior, $2M Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) multi-national nuclear weapons accident exercise. Mr. Fahrer was awarded the Air Force Civilian Achievement Medal for his role during this exercise. While at Offutt AFB, he garnered Air Staff level approval to lease privatized housing for TLFs until new construction can be completed.

Mr. Fahrer is married to the former Mary Davidson of Council Bluffs, IA. They have three children; Erin 21, Brett 19, and Lucas 17.

EDUCATION

1983 Bachelor of arts degree in physical education, Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
1986 Recreations Supervisors School, Keesler AFB, MS
1992 Chief Morale, Welfare, and Recreation School, Keesler AFB, MS
1993 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
1999 AFIT Services Leadership School, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1999 AFIT Mortuary Affairs School, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
2010 Enrolled in ACSC Masters Program

ASSIGNMENTS

1. October 1982 – March 1985, Sports Program Director, 3902nd Air Base Wing, Offutt AFB, NE.
2. March 1985 – February 1987, Asst Athletic Director, 3902nd Air Base Wing, Offutt AFB, NE.
3. February 1987 – November 1987, Community Center Director, 3902nd Air Base Wing, Offutt AFB, NE.
4. November 1987 – November 1989, MWR Staff Officer, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, NE.
5. November 1989 – May 1992, Chief of Recreation Services, 509th Services Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
6. May 1992 – January 1996, Community Support Flight Chief, 509th Services Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
7. January 1996 – December 1997, Family Programs Flight Chief, 90th Services Squadron, F. E. Warren AFB, WY.
8. December 1997 – August 1998, Family Programs Flight Chief, 52nd Services Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany.
9. August 1998 – November 2000, Deputy Director of Services, 52nd Services Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany.