Col. Howard P. Purcell is the Vice Wing Commander, 192d Fighter Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, Langley AFB, Va. Colonel Purcell supports the wing commander in ensuring the 192d FW meets each of its federal and state missions: to train, equip, and deploy Airmen ready to fly, fight, and win; to provide continuous imagery analysis and intelligence support; and to deliver fighter/bomber mission capable supplies worldwide, as well as respond to state and national emergencies, disasters, and disturbances as directed by the Governor of Virginia.
Colonel Purcell earned his commission in 1987 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Ohio State University. His aviation career began with Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., and F-16 Fighter Training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Upon completion of flight training in 1990, he reported to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., where he became an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Standardization Evaluation Flight Examiner. In 1993 he was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., as an F-16 Operational Test and Evaluation pilot with the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, followed by an assignment to the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in 1998. The colonel finished his active duty career at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., as an F-16 Programs Officer for the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron Combat Archer Weapon System Evaluation Program in 2000. After separating from active duty, he joined the Virginia Air National Guard in 2002 as a traditional guardsman and F-16 Weapons Officer. Colonel Purcell's previous position was as the 192d Detachment 1 Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Colonel Purcell is a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours in the F-16 and F-22, including combat time in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science, Ohio State University
1995 Squadron Officer School
1996 USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course
2000 Air Command and Staff College
2006 Air War College
2006 Joint and Combined Warfighting School (Joint Forces Staff College)
ASSIGNMENTS
1988 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air Force Base, AZ
1989 Lead-In Fighter Training, Holloman Air Force Base, NM
1989 F-16 Fighter Training, Luke Air Force Base, AZ
1990 F-16 Mission Ready Pilot, 17FS, Shaw Air Force Base, SC
1993 F-16 Operation Test and Evaluation Pilot, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, FL
1998 F-16 Assistant Director of Operations, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, AK
2000 F-16 Program Officer, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
2002 F-16 Weapons Officer and Instructor Pilot, Virginia Air National Guard, VA
2004 149FS Flight Commander, Virginia Air National Guard, VA
2006 192FW Operational Support Commander, Virginia Air National Guard, VA
2008 192FW Det 1 Commander, US Joint Forces Command, VA
2011 192FW Vice-Wing Commander, Virginia Air National Guard, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two devices
Air Medal with three devices
Aerial Achievement Medal with one device
Air Force Commendation Medal with one device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 24 Nov 1987
First Lieutenant 24 Nov 1989
Captain 24 Nov 1991
Major 01 Jun 1999
Lieutenant Colonel 23 May 2004
Colonel 11 Sep 2008
(Current as of May 2011)