Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. Cunningham is Commander, 179th Maintenance Group, 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. The 179th Maintenance Group provides aircraft and maintenance support to the 179th Airlift Wing’s C-130 tactical airlift aircraft.
Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham commissioned through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science in 2004, as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He has spent time in several unit and command positions to include maintenance operations officer, aircraft maintenance squadron commander, and maintenance squadron commander. Lt Col Cunningham was most recently assigned as, Operations Officer, AFROTC Detachment 645, The Ohio State University, where he Led, recruited, instructed, counseled, and evaluated highly qualified prospective Air Force officers. Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham has led operational maintenance on the C-27 and C-130 aircraft. He has deployed in support of Operations Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science in Education, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2004 Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, McGee Tyson ANGB, TN
2008 Master of Education, Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio
2010 United States Air Force Squadron Officer’s School (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2020 United States Air Force Air War College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1999 – June 2004, Air Transportation Journeyman, 179th Aerial Port Squadron, Mansfield, OH
2. June 2004 – February 2010, Maintenance Officer, 179th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Mansfield, OH
3. May – August 2005, Student, Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
4. October – December 2009, Maintenance OIC, 164th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 332rd Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC), Contingency Operating Base (COB) Speicher, Iraq
5. February 2010 – February 2011, Commander, 179th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Mansfield, OH
6. February 2011 – June 2018, Commander, 179th Maintenance Squadron, Mansfield, OH
7. June 2018 – June 2021, Operations Officer, AFROTC Det 645; Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
8. June 2021 – October 2021, Deputy Commander, 179th Maintenance Group, Mansfield, OH
9. October 2021- Present, Commander, 179th Maintenance Group, Mansfield, OH
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Special Duty Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon
Ohio Special Service Ribbon
Ohio Award of Merit
Ohio National Guard Basic Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 25, 2004
First Lieutenant June 25, 2006
Captain June 25, 2008
Major June 27, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel August 25, 2016
(Current as of December 2021)