BRIGADIER GENERAL RICHARD L. COFFEY, III
Brig. Gen. Richard “Rich” L. Coffey, III serves as the Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Florida National Guard and the Commander, Florida Air National Guard. Brig. Gen. Coffey is responsible for mission readiness, operations, and coordination of Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) units at seven different locations. His scope of work includes $550 million facilities and equipment, $750 million in aircraft, $120 million in operating budgets, and command of 2,000 personnel.
Brig. Gen. Coffey was born at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, England. He received his commission at the US Air Force Academy in 1994. He has held numerous Command positions in the 125th Fighter Wing to include the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander, Deputy Maintenance Group Commander, Deputy Mission Support Group Commander, Mission Support Group Commander, Vice Wing Commander and was assigned as the interim Fighter Wing Commander. Brig. Gen. Coffey has been stationed at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), RAF Lakenheath, Pope AFB and Jacksonville International Airport. Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Coffey was the Director of Staff for the Florida Air National Guard.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, Operations Research, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1997 Master of Science, Operations Management, University of Arkansas, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Joint Forces Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfare Course, Norfolk, Va.
2013 Commanders Development Course
2017 Joint Task Force Commander’s Training Course, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
2022 Dual Status Commander’s Course, Peterson SFB, Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1994 - December 1996, Sortie Support Flight Commander, 59th Fighter Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
2. December 1996 - October 1997, Avionics Flight Commander, 33d Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida
3. October 1997 - June 1999, Detachment 16 Commander, 372d Training Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
4. June 1999 - June 2000, Distribution Flight Commander, 48th Supply Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
5. June 2000 - December 2001, Combat Operations Flight Commander, 48th Supply Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
6. December 2001 - February 2003, Maintenance Operations Officer, 43d Maintenance Operations Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
7. February 2004 - May 2004, Maintenance Operations Flight Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
8. May 2004 - December 2004, Maintenance Squadron Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
9. December 2004 - December 2008, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
10. December 2008 - August 2011, Deputy Maintenance Group Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
11. August 2011 - August 2013, Deputy Mission Support Group Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
12. August 2013 - May 2016, Mission Support Group Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
13. May 2016 - May 2019, Vice Wing Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
14. August 2019 - January 2020, Interim Wing Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
15. January 2020 - June 2020, Vice Wing Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
16. June 2020 - May 2022, Director of Staff – Air, Florida Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters - Florida National Guard, St. Augustine, Fla.
17. June 2023 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Commander, Florida Air National Guard, St. Augustine, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1994
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major June 4, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 5, 2008
Colonel Dec. 20, 2013
Brigadier General June 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2024)
