Colonel Donald M. Neff enlisted in the Nebraska Air National Guard in February 1989, serving as an RF-4C Photo Sensor Maintenance Specialist with the 155th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. Graduating from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1993, he received his commission through UN-L’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, earned his pilots wings, completed KC-135R Initial Qualification Course, and began his military flying career assigned to the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron as a co-pilot and later Aircraft Commander in the KC-135R Stratotanker. In 1998, Col Neff transferred to the 326th Airlift Squadron, Dover AFB, DE where he flew the C-5A/B Galaxy as a traditional reservist.
Returning to the NEANG in 2001 as a Drill Status Guardsman Col Neff has served as Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot, Evaluator Pilot, Combat Aircrew Tactics Instructor, 155 MXG Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Flight Commander, Flight Commander, Squadron Director of Operations, Squadron Commander, and Group Commander. He has served on staff tours with Air Mobility Command’s Fuel Efficiency Office, Scott AFB, IL, Joint Special Operation Command’s Aviation and Tactics Evaluation Group, Ft Bragg, NC, and has been a member of the KC-135R Block 45 Cockpit Working Group. Col Neff has combat and combat support flight time in operations ALLIED FORCE, SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and INHERENT RESOLVE.
As pilot for United Airlines since 1999, Col Neff has flow the Boeing 727, 737, 757, 767, and Airbus A-319/320 and has served as a Washington DC domicile Flight Operations Supervisor and World Headquarters Flight Operations Duty Manager.
EDUCATION:
1991 Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
1993 Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
1994 Associates Degree, Community College of the Air Force
2001 Combat Aircrew Tactics Course, McGuire AFB, NJ
2002 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2005 Master of Business Administration, North Carolina State University
EDUCATION cont.
2006 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2008 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2009 Intermediate Development Course, McGhee-Tyson ANG Training Center, TN
2014 Air War College, in residence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2014 Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, AL
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1989 – August 1989; Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. August 1989 – April 1990; Avionics Maintenance Technician School, Lowry AFB, CO
3. April 1990 – December 1993; Aircraft Maintenance Specialist, 155th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
4. December 1993 -- August 1995; Pilot Trainee, Columbus AFB, MS, Altus AFB, OK
5.August 1995 – April 1998; KC-135R Pilot, Aircraft Commander, 173rd Air Refueling Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
6. April 1998 – April 2001; C-5 A/B Aircraft Commander, 326th Airlift Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
7. April 2001 – December 2005; MXG Quality Assurance Officer, 155th Aircraft Maintenance Group, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
8. December 2005 – October 2010; Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot, Evaluator Pilot, Combat Crew Tactics Instructor, Assistant Flight Commander, Flight Commander, 173rd Air Refueling Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
9. October 2010 – October 2012; Director of Operations, 173rd Air Refueling Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
10. October 2012 – September 2014; Commander, 173rd Air Refueling Squadron,Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
11. September 2014 – Present; Commander, 155th Operations Group, Nebraska Air National Guard, Lincoln, NE
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: +4000 Military, +5000 Civilian/Commerical
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135R, C-5A/B, Boeing 727,737, 757,767, Airbus,A-319/320
MAJOR AWARDS:
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 2 devices
Aerial Achievement Medal with device
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award