Lt Col Michael Kingry was an Air Force Senior Developmental Education Fellow assigned to Project Everest for academic year 2022-2023. Prior to this he served as the Commander, 56th Rescue Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy. He commanded European Command’s only rotary-wing Combat Search and Rescue unit, consisting of 56 personnel across 5 AFSCs and 5 helicopters.

Background: Lieutenant Colonel Kingry received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in June 2004. His service includes operational assignments as an instructor pilot flying the HH-60G in Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces and United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa. He also served as an instructor pilot at the United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and completed the Air Force Legislative Fellowship on Capitol Hill prior to his service as Director of Operations for the 56th Rescue Squadron. He is a command pilot with over 2,300 total hours and 660 combat hours. He has accomplished combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Jordan in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, and OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.