Colonel William “Will” Parker is the Commander, 81st Mission Support Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He commands the base combat support, logistics, and service activities for 114,000 military, civilians, dependents, and retirees by leading more than 1,650 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. He budgets for and expends $126 million in annual funds while maintaining and providing security for real property and equipment valued at $4.7 billion. In addition, he manages a fleet of 422 vehicles valued at $26 million and 5,000 pieces of technical training equipment. He also oversees contract award administration totaling $250 million that includes a team of 900 contract employees and ensures the vigilance of 48,000 miles of communications cabling and information technology equipment valued at $50 million. Colonel Parker serves as the base director of the crisis/emergency operations center and represents Keesler in working with Mississippi and Gulf Coast leaders on issues affecting the base and surrounding communities.
He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for United States Forces Korea, J1, Assistant Chief of Staff for United Nations Command, U1, and Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, DC1 stationed in Camp Humphreys South Korea.
In this role Col Parker was the USFK Commander’s primary advisor on Coalition, Combined, and Joint Force matters across United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and United States Forces Korea (USFK), where he delivered holistic management of personnel and welfare for more than 50,000 U.S., Allied, and Partner service members, civilian workforce, and their families, and formulated and interpreted personnel management policy to achieve maximum levels of Joint Force readiness for all joint and combined forces on the Korean peninsula.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Evangel University, Springfield, Mo.
2003 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Master of Science in Management, Human Resources Concentration, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2009 Master of Science in International Tourism Management, University of South Carolina
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Air Force Strategic Policy Fellowship, Air Force Research Institute, Washington, DC
2023 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy (Concentration in Influence Warfare, National Defense University, Washington, DC)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2003 – January 2005, Officer in Charge, Plans and Readiness, 21st Services Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado (August 2004 – January 2005, Commander, Combat Support Flight, 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron, Ali Air Base, Iraq)
2. January 2005 – September 2005, Officer in Charge, Lodging, 21st Services Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado
3. September 2005 – August 2006, Executive Officer, 21st Mission Support Group, Peterson AFB, Colorado
4. August 2006 – July 2008, Combat Support Flight Commander, 62d Services Squadron, McChord AFB, Washington (May – September 2007, Commander, 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron, Ali Air Base, Iraq)
5. July 2008 – January 2009, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology - Civilian Institution Program, University of South Carolina
6. January 2010 – September 2010, Chief, Air Force Fitness and Lodging Policy, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
7. September 2010 – October 2011, Executive Officer, Air Force Directorate of Services, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
8. October 2011 – December 2013, Chief of Legislative Affairs, A1 Issues Team, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (May – December 2013, Operations Officer, 455th Force Support Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan)
9. December 2013 – July 2014, Deputy Director, A1 Issues Team, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10. July 2014 – July 2015, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Air Force Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
11. July 2015 – June 2017, Operations Officer, 51st Force Support Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
12. June 2017 to June 2019, Commander, 628th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, SC
13. June 2019 to July 2020, Deputy Commander, 628th Mission Support Group, JB Charleston, SC
14. July 2020 to June 2022, Chief, Manpower, Personnel, Services, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Affairs, Washington, DC
15. July 2022 to June 2022, Student, National Defense University, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Washington, DC
16. June 2023 to June 2024, Assistant Directory of Accessions Policy, Officer Commissioning Programs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC
17. June 2024 to June 2026, Assistant Chief of Staff for United States Forces Korea, J1, Assistant Chief of Staff for United Nations Command, U1, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Combined Forces Command, DC1
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 62d Mission Support Group CGO of the Year
2008 Air Mobility Command Services CGO of the Year
2012 HQ Air Force A1 CGO Personnel Manager of the Year
2013 HQ Air Force A1 FGO Personnel Manager of the Year
2016 PACAF Force Support Installation Level FGO of the Year
2016 Air Force - Force Support Installation Level FGO of the Year