Colonel Joseph M. Jabara is the Vice Wing Commander for the 184th Intelligence Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell AFB, Kansas. Prior to taking over as the Vice Wing Commander, he spent the last three years as the Mission Support Group Commander. He was responsible for the management and leadership of three squadrons and three flights of over 300 people. Prior to taking over as MSG Commander he was the Staff Judge Advocate for the Wing. As the SJA, Colonel Jabara oversaw all phases of legal issues and training requirements and handled the normal day-to-day tasks a reserve forces judge advocate may encounter. He also provided defense services to the 190 Air Refueling Wing, Topeka, Kansas and home station support for the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas.
A native of Kansas, Colonel Jabara graduated from Wichita East High School in 1981. After completing his undergraduate studies at Wichita State University, he attended Washburn School of Law. Colonel Jabara entered the United States Air Force in 1989, and was assigned to McConnell. While there he served as Claims Officer, Chief of Military Justice, and Area Defense Counsel. He separated from active duty in 1992 and went into the IMA reserve program where he stayed until 1998, when he transferred to the Kansas Air National Guard. Professional Military Education includes Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. He has deployed on his own, with his unit and in support of joint forces exercises to places such as 1st AF, Germany, South and Central America, Armenia, and Israel. He and his wife, Kristy have been married for 25 years and they have a daughter, Kelsey, 19, a sophomore at Kansas State University.
EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Science (cum laude), Administration of Justice, Wichita State University
1988 Juris Doctorate, Washburn School of Law
1991 Squadron Officer School
2001 Air Command & Staff College
2006 Air War College
2008 Reserve Component National Security Course
2010 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1989 - June 1991, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, McConnell AFB, KS
2. July 1991 - August 1992, Area Defense Counsel, McConnell AFB, KS
3. September 1992 - April 1998, Reserve IMA Judge Advocate, McConnell AFB, KS
4. May 1998 - November 2002, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 184th Air Refueling Wing, KSANG, McConnell AFB, KS
5. Dec 2002 - April 2008, Staff Judge Advocate, 184th Air Refueling Wing, KSANG, McConnell AFB, KS
6. April 2008 - June 2011 Mission Support Group Commander, 184th Intelligence Wing, KSANG, McConnell AFB, KS
7. June 2011 - Present, Vice Commander, 184th Intelligence Wing, KSANG, McConnell AFB, KS
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with device
Air Force Commendation Medal with device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant May 1989
Captain, November 1989
Major, December 1998
Lieutenant Colonel June 2003
Colonel February 2009
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Member, National Guard Association of the United States
Member, Wichita Chamber of Commerce
Member, Wichita Bar Association
Current as of: 6 Jun 11