Col. John A. Cluck serves as the wing commander of the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. As wing commander, he is responsible for approximately 1,000 Airmen and ensuring that all members are ready to execute the C-130H Hercules aircraft mission both for the state and federal government.
Col. Cluck enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard in April 1986 as an Air Cargo Specialist. In 1992, he transferred to the 180th Airlift Squadron as a C-130 loadmaster. In 1994, he earned his undergraduate degree in Milling Science from Kansas State University, and received his commissioned from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee, in 1995. After graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, Texas, Col. Cluck returned to the 180th to serve as a C-130 pilot. Col. Cluck has deployed for Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, SOUTHERN WATCH, JOINT FORGE, ALLIED FORCE, PROVIDE PROMISE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, JOINT ENTERPRISE and CORONET OAK. Prior to his current position, Col. Cluck was the vice commander of the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Col. Cluck is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours in the C-130.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science Degree in Milling Science and Management, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Ks.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Al.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
2015 Air War College Seminar, Knoxville, Tn.
ASSIGNMENTS
March 1995 – May 2014, C-130 pilot, 180th Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
May 2014 – February 2015, Assistant Director of Operations, 180th Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
February 2015 – July 2015, Commander, 180th Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
July 2015 – December 2015, Commander, 139th Operations Support Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
December 2015 – July 2017, Commander, 139th Operations Group, St. Joseph, Mo.
July 2017 – March 2021, Vice Commander, 139th Airlift Wing, St. Joseph, Mo.
March 2021 – Present, Commander, 139th Airlift Wing, St. Joseph, Mo.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device silver oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two bronze star devices
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass and 5 “M” Device (1 device)
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 5000 including more than 750 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: C-130H, C-130E, T-37, B717 (Civilian), B737 (Civilian)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 23, 1995
First Lieutenant February 23, 1997
Captain March 1, 1999
Major December 19, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel December 19, 2012
Colonel September 15, 2016
(Current as of March 2021)