Colonel Richard Kenji Harrop is the Deputy Commander, 90th Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The wing’s 4,200 military, civilian and contractor personnel defend the United States with combat-ready Airmen and nuclear forces. They provide strategic nuclear deterrence by operating, maintaining, securing and supporting 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, which stand on alert ready to launch at the direction of the President of the United States.
Colonel Harrop commissioned 2002 from Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at the University of Alaska Anchorage. His varied career experience includes Minuteman III crew commander and evaluator; Numbered Air Force instructor; Combatant Command nuclear command, control and communications officer, Department of the Air Force Inspector, and Squadron Director of Operations. He commanded AFROTC Detachment 290 at the University of Kentucky and has also deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Prior to his current position, he served as the State Command Inspector General at Joint Forces Headquarters Alaska National Guard.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Education, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska
2007 Master of Public Administration, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Military Operational Art/Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2002 – September 2003, Student, Space and Missile Operations, 392nd Training Squadron,Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2. September 2003 – November 2004, ICBM Combat Crew Commander Deputy, 321st MissileSquadron, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
3. November 2004 – October 2005, ICBM Combat Crew Evaluator Deputy Commander,90th Operations Group, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
4. October 2005 – May 2006, ICBM Combat Crew Commander, 321st Missile Squadron, Francis E.Warren AFB, Wyo.
5. May 2006 – October 2007, Chief, ICBM Evaluations Procedures, 90th Operations Group, Francis E.Warren AFB, Wyo.
6. October 2007 – February 2009, Chief, Operations Training, 620 Missile Operations Flight, TwentiethAir Force, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
7. February 2009 – February 2012, Emergency Actions Officer, United States Strategic Command,Offutt AFB, Neb.
8. February 2012 – July 2012, Chief, Space and Missile Joint Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center,Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas
9. July 2012 – July 2014, Chief, Officer Assignment System Management and Training, Air ForcePersonnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas
10. July 2014 – June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2015 – September 2016, Chief, Nuclear Operations Inspections, Air Force Inspection Agency,Kirtland AFB, N.M.
12. September 2016 – April 2017, Chief, Maintenance Division, Air Force Inspection Agency, KirtlandAFB, N.M.
13. April 2017 – June 2018, Deputy Director, Nuclear Inspections Directorate, Air Force InspectionAgency, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
14. June 2018 – July 2020, Director of Operations, 91st Operations Support Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
15. July 2020 – July 2023, Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 290,University of Kentucky, Lexington, K.Y.
16. July 2023 – June 2024, State Command Inspector General, Joint Force Headquarters Alaska NationalGuard, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
17. June 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 90th Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ device and one oak leaf cluster
NATO Medal (International Security Assistance Force)
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 2002
First Lieutenant May 2004
Captain May 2006
Major June 2012
Lieutenant Colonel April 2017
Colonel December 2023
(Current as of July 2024)