Lt Col Victor E. Knill is the commander of the 173d Mission Support Group Fighter Wing, at Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon. He is responsible for overseeing functions to include; logistics, security forces, personnel, civil engineering, and cyber operations.
Lt Col Knill entered the Air Force in 1996 through Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He completed Technical School as an Intelligence Applications Apprentice at Goodfellow AFB, Texas in 1997. While on Active Duty, he served at Langley AFB, VA, and OCONUS locations in South West Asia in support of Operations NORTHERN/SOUTHERN WATCH. In 2000, he transitioned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard. From 2000 to 2005, he served as the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of 102 FW Intelligence Operations. In 2005, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Academy of Military Science. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, MS, 2007 and the F-15 Basic Course, Kingsley Field, OR, 2008. He was assigned to the 114th Fighter Squadron as the Assistant Chief of Weapons and as the Squadron Standards and Evaluations Liaison Officer until 2010. He was re-assigned to the 142d FW in Portland, OR. As a member of the 142d FW, he flew in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE and he deployed in support of a Theater Security Package to the CENTCOM AOR. Lt Col Knill returned to the 114th Fighter Squadron as an F-15C Instructor Pilot. He has held numerous jobs since returning to include, Assistant Chief of Scheduling, Flight Commander, Chief of Academics, Chief of Training, Chief of HARM, Assistant Director of Operations, 173 Operations Support Squadron Director of Operations, and 173 Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander.
EDUCATION
1996 Graduate, USAF Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
2001 Airman Leadership School, correspondence
2004 Bachelor of Arts, History, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
2005 Graduate, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANG Base, TN
2013 Squadron Officer School, correspondence
2018 Air Command and Staff College, correspondence
2018 Masters of Military Operational Arts and Sciences, Maxwell AFB, Ala, correspondence
2022 Air War College, correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1996 – October 1996, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. October 1996 – March 1997, Student, Intelligence Applications Technical School, Goodfellow AFB, TX
3. March 1997 – August 2000, Intelligence Specialist, 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st FW, Langley AFB, VA
4. August 2000 – October 2005, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Intelligence Operations, 102 FW, Otis ANGB, Falmouth, MA
5. October 2005 – November 2005, Officer Candidate, Mghee Tyson ANGB, TN
6. February 2006 – March 2007, Student Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
7. March 2007 – May 2007, Student Pilot, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 87th FTS, Sheppard AFB, TX
8. June 2007 – June 2008, F-15 Student Pilot, 114 Fighter Squadron, Kingsley Field, OR
9. June 2008 – June 2009, Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
10. June 2009 – June 2010, Chief of Standardizations and Evaluations Liaison Officer, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
11. June 2010 – June 2011, Chief of Training, 123d Fighter Squadron, Portland ANGB, Portland, OR
12. June 2011 – August 2012, Chief of Aircrew Flight Equipment, 123d FS, Portland ANGB, Portland, OR
13. August 2012 – August 2014, F-15 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Chief of Scheduling, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
14. August 2014 – September 2015, Flight Commander, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
15. September 2015 – June 2016, Chief of Academics, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
16. June 2016 – November 2016, Weapons and Academics Liaison Officer, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
17. November 2016 – June 2018, Flight Commander, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
18. June 2018 – August 2020, Assistant Director of Operations, 114th FS, Kingsley Field, OR
19. August 2020 – September 2021, Director of Operations, 173 Operations Support Squadron, Kingsley Field, OR
20. September 2021 – August 2024, Commander, 173 Logistics Readiness Squadron, Kingsley Field, OR
21. August 2024 – Present, Commander, 173 Mission Support Group, Kingsley Field, OR
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2000
Aircraft flown: F-15C/D, T-37, T-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 ‘M’ Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
Massachusetts Service Medal
Massachusetts Defense Service Ribbon
Oregon National Guard Superior Unit Citation
Oregon Faithful Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1997, 1998, 1999 94th Fighter Squadron Airman of the Quarter
1998, 1999 1st Fighter Wing Outstanding Intelligence Airman of the Year
1998 94th Fighter Squadron Airman of the Year
2016 173 Operations Group Warrior of the Quarter
2018 173 Operations Group Warrior of the Quarter
2018 173 Operations Group Field Grade Officer of the Year
2019 AETC Flight Commander of the Year
2022 USNORTHCOM CASCADIA RISING Superior Performer