Matthews takes command of 919th SOG

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  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  The most decorated Air Force Reserve unit welcomed their new operations group leader in a ceremony here July 12.

Col. Kurt Matthews, a 1986 graduate of Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, accepted the 919th Special Operations Group guidon from, Col. James Phillips, 919th Special Operations Wing commander.

As group commander, Matthews oversees four squadrons with more than 450 reservist Airmen.  As a subordinate unit of the 919th SOW, the group is in a classic association with the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center. It provides operations personnel to support the aviation foreign internal defense and combat aviation advisor programs for the Air Force Special Operations Command through the use of the C-145A aircraft.   The group conducts U-28 and C-145A formal training unit flight instruction and employs the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft in a classic association with the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, N.M.

Before coming to Duke, he served as functional area manager for personnel recovery and HH-60G weapons system, at Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

Matthews is a 1990 graduate of the University of Miami, where he earned his commission through the Air Force ROTC program. His assignments include flying duties as an HH-60G Pavehawk instructor/evaluator pilot performing combat rescue missions, and duties as a space operations officer conducting counter weapons of mass destruction support.

The colonel has flown in Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and during hurricanes Floyd, Katrina, and Rita. He is a 2001 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Matthews has served on active duty for three years, in the Air National Guard for two years, and in the Air Force Reserve for 16 years. As a rescue helicopter pilot, he is credited with 128 saves in both combat and humanitarian missions. Also, he flew emergency medical services helicopters for the University of Tennessee's Life-Star program from 2005-2008.

In March 2006, the 919th SOG was awarded the Gallant Unit Citation, the Air Force's second highest organizational honor, for its combat support roles in Operation Enduring Freedom. The GUC is awarded to any Air Force unit which distinguishes itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force on or after September 11, 2001.