Colonel Matthew W. Kopp is the Deputy Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As the Deputy Commander, he is the principle senior officer responsible for assisting the Wing Commander in the planning, organizing, directing and management of unit logistics, base support and operations programs for an Illinois Air National Guard Wing of eight primary assigned KC-135R aircraft and over 900 personnel. The Wing executes worldwide mobility operations, including both air refueling and airlift, and supports a wide range of conventional and nuclear plans.
Colonel Kopp is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 2002, earning his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 2004, he completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, and KC-135R Initial Qualification Course at Altus AFB, Oklahoma. His initial flying assignment was to the 92d Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. In 2006, Colonel Kopp, was selected to attend the KC-135R Aircraft Commander course at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, and returned in 2008 to complete the KC-135R Certified Flight Instructor course. In the fall of 2009 Colonel Kopp was assigned to Scott AFB and the 126 Air Refueling Wing (ANG) to stand up an active association squadron, the 906th Air Refueling Squadron. After excelling in many different positions within the 126th Operations Group, Colonel Kopp separated from active duty in 2013 and joined the Illinois Air National Guard, Scott AFB, IL. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Commander, 108th Air Refueling Squadron and the interim 126th Operations Group Commander, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Colonel Kopp is a command pilot with more than 4,400 hours in the KC-135R/T aircraft and more than 2,200 combat and combat support hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla
2009 Top Third Graduate, Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Masters of Business Administration/Management, Webster University, Mo.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2018 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 2002 – August 2003, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Training Squadron 3, Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.
2. September 2003 – May 2004 Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Okla.
3. June 2004 – September 2004, KC-135 Initial Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla.
4. October 2004 – August 2009, KC-135R/T Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Training, Flight Commander, Standardization and Evaluation Officer, 92d Air Refueling Squadron, 92d Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
5. September 2009 - July 2010 Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Aircrew Scheduling, 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
6. August 2010 – November 2011 Wing Executive Officer, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
7. December 2011- November 2013 Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Operations Officer, Chief of Standardization, 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
8. December 2013-July 2016, Evaluator Pilot, Aircrew Scheduling, Training Flight Officer, 108th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
9. August 2016 - May 2019, Chief of Standardizations and Evaluations, 126th Operations Group, Scott AFB, Ill.
10. June 2019 – January 2020, Director of Operations, 108th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
11. February 2020 – May 2023, Commander, 108th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
12. May 2023 – Present, Deputy Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,400 (including more than 2,200 combat hours)
Aircraft flown: T-34C, T-1, KC-135R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one silver and two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Life member, National Guard Association of Illinois, and the United States
(Current as of October 2024)