Brigadier
General Kencil J. Heaton is the assistant adjutant general for Air, Michigan Air
National Guard. Serving in this capacity, he is the commander of Headquarters,
Michigan Air National Guard located in Lansing, Michigan. He is responsible for
formulating, developing and coordinating policies, plans and programs affecting
more than 2,700 members of the Michigan Air National Guard including two
general-purpose fighter units, one airlift unit, and a Combat Readiness Training
Center.
General Heaton received his commission in 1968 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and received his wings in December 1969. Among his active duty flying assignments was a Southeast Asia combat tour with the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing flying the A-37 in 1970-71. He served on active duty until July 1978 when he joined the 110th Tactical Air Support Group of the Michigan Air National Guard. Additionally, he served one year with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the United States Air Force Reserves at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. He was the commander of the 110th Fighter Wing from 1997-2001 and participated in action during Operation Allied Force over Kosovo. He transferred to Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard as Director of Operations in 2001. He was appointed as Commander of the 127th Wing, Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan in November 2002 and promoted to his current position in January 2003. He is a command pilot with an accumulation of more than 6200 flight hours in various military aircraft.
1968 - Bachelor of Science in Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
1973 - Squadron Officers School, by correspondence
1985 - Marine Corps Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1987 - National Security Management Course, by seminar
1. January 1969 - December 1969, student, undergraduate pilot training, 3645 Student Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
2. January 1970 - February 1971, pilot, 8 Special Operations Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of VietNam.
3. March 1971 - July 1975, instructor pilot, 47 Flying Training Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
4. July 1975 - July 1978, forward air controller, 23 Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas.
5. July 1978 - December 1980, inactive status, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colorado.
6. January 1981-January 1984, forward air controller, 172 Tactical Air Support Squadron, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich.
7. January 1984 - January 1985, pilot, 45 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
8. January 1985 - October 1993, commander, 172 Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich.
9. October 1993 - July 1997, instructor pilot, 127 Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
10. July 1997 - March 2001, commander, 110 Fighter Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich.
11. March 2001 - November 2002, director of operations, Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard, Lansing, Mich.
12. November 2002 - January 2003, commander, 127 Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
13. January 2003 - present, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Commander, Headquarters Michigan Air National Guard.
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 6200
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, A-37, O-2, A-10, C-26, C-130
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
Air Medal with 9 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 5 devices
Combat Readiness Medal with 2 devices
National Defense Service Medal with 1 device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Viet Nam Service Medal with 3 devices
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 6 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with One Bronze Hourglass Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
NATO Medal for Kosovo Operations
Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal
Michigan Broadsword with 5 devices
Michigan Legion of Merit with 1 device
Michigan Outside United States Ribbon with 1 device
Michigan Distinguished Service Medal with 1 device
Member of the Board of Directors for the Battle Creek Hot Air Balloon Committee
Executive Director for Michigan Freedom Foundation
NGAUS Meritorious Service award
Resolution of Commendation - State Legislature and Governor of Michigan
Second Lieutenant Jan 2, 1969
First Lieutenant Jul 2, 1970
Captain Jan 2, 1972
Major Mar 11, 1983
Lieutenant Colonel Aug 14, 1987
Colonel Jun 30, 1997
Brigadier General Jan 7, 2003
(Current as of 1 Apr 2003)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.