Kelly S. Hamilton, Colonel, USAF Retired
WMA President 1987 - 1991
Colonel Hamilton began her military career in 1973 as Avionics Maintenance Officer with 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, where she evaluated communications, navigation and radar systems for F-4, F-5, A-37, T-38 and A-10 aircraft. She was among the first group of twenty women selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot training which she completed in 1978. Distinguished Graduate of KC-135 training, she was assigned to 43rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, WA where she flew both T-38 and KC 135A aircraft.
Throughout her career she served as KC-135 aircraft commander, flight commander, and director of crew training. Her duties included flying passenger, cargo, training, and air refueling mission throughout North America, Europe, Pacific and the Middle East. She also conducted flight acceptance tests for KC-135 R, and advanced full motion simulators and received a special duty assignment to the Air Force Academy as a Cadet Squadron Commander and flight instructor. Assigned to the US CINC Pacific, Colonel Hamilton served as Chief, of Asia Pacific Regional Affairs, negotiating international military policy agreements through Southeast Asia. Her final assignment in the Air Force was as the Assistant Director of Operations for Air Mobility command where she specialized in Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance issues. Following her retirement in January 1997, she became the Executive Director for the National Aviation and Transportation Center, developing strategic plans for the expansion of their aviation and transportation programs. In 1998 she left management to return to her first love flying. Currently, she is a Captain for Northwest Airlink flying the Canadair Regional Jet.
Colonel Hamilton has a Bachelor of Arts in French, a Master of Arts in Public administration, and Postgraduate studies in International Relations. Her flight ratings include type ratings in the Boeing 747, 737, 720, 707, the Hawker Business Jet and the Canadair Regional Jet.
Her awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, AF Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Overseas Long Tour ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters, AF Training ribbon, AF Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait).