Joint Base Charleston Welcomes New Commander During Change of Command Ceremony

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Leadership officially changed hands at Joint Base Charleston on June 17 as the 628th Air Base Wing conducted its Change of Command ceremony, marking the transition from Colonel Jason H. “JP” Parker to Colonel Kenneth M. “Mike” Shirley II.

The ceremony symbolizes the formal transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability for one of the Department of Defense’s most significant joint installations. Joint Base Charleston serves as home to more than 70 military and federal mission partners and supports global airlift, maritime transport, and power projection operations.

As commander of the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston, Shirley assumes responsibility for $7.5 billion in base property and assets across 23,000 acres, oversight of an annual budget exceeding $172 million, and support for more than 132,000 service members, civilians, retirees, and family members.

Presiding over the ceremony, Darren R. Cole emphasized the importance of the installation’s workforce.

“Leaders can come and go, but the Airmen are the ones who make it happen,” Cole said. “The men and women of the 628th Air Base Wing are the foundation of force generation and power projection.”

Shirley, a career Security Forces officer, said he is eager to continue the base’s mission while strengthening ties with the Lowcountry community.

“Taking command of the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston is an incredible honor,” Shirley said. “The bond between this installation and the surrounding communities is something special, and I am deeply committed to being a strong partner and neighbor across this entire region.”

Shirley enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 as a law enforcement specialist before earning his commission through the ROTC program at Eastern Kentucky University in 1999. During his career, he has held numerous leadership positions, including squadron commander, group commander, congressional liaison, and senior security forces leader within Air Mobility Command.

Most recently, Shirley served as commander of the 375th Mission Support Group at Scott Air Force Base. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal.

The change of command ensures continuity of leadership at Joint Base Charleston, a strategic installation that generates more than $10.9 billion in economic activity annually and plays a critical role in supporting military operations worldwide.

BIO: COLONEL KENNETH M. “MIKE” SHIRLEY II

Colonel Kenneth Shirley II is the Commander, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. As host to over 74 DoD and Federal agencies, the Wing provides installation and mission support to a total force of over 132,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents, and retirees across an installation that accounts for $10.9 billion in local economic activity. In addition, the Wing provides mission-ready expeditionary Airmen to Combatant Commanders in support of Joint and Combined operations worldwide. As the Commander, he is responsible for $7.5 billion in base property and capital assets and controls an annual budget exceeding $172 million while delivering power projection across 23,000 noncontiguous acres.

Col. Shirley enlisted in 1992 as a Law Enforcement specialist and was stationed in Air Force Special Operations Command. He commissioned in 1999 through Reserve Officer Training Corps at Eastern Kentucky University.

A career security forces Airman, Col Shirley has served as a group commander, squadron commander, flight commander, operations officer, instructor, and resource officer, as well as a congressional liaison. Prior to his current position, Col Shirley was the commander of the 375th Mission Support Group, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

EDUCATION

1997 Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.
2001 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Police Administration Course, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.
2008 Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Terrorism, American Military University, Manassas, Va.
2009 Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, University of Virginia, Quantico, Va.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air Force Fellow, Legislative Liaison Fellowship, US Capital, Washington DC
2015 Air War College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Air War College, in residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. January 1992 – August 1995, Law Enforcement Specialist, 16th Security Police Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2. January 2000 – August 2001, Training and Resource Officer, 30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
3. September 2001 – September 2002, Chief of Computer Branch, 51st Operation Group, Osan AB, Korea
4. October 2002 – January 2003, Training and Resource Officer, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. February 2003 – June 2005, Operation Officer/Lead Instructor, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
6. June 2005 – July 2008, Commander/Operation Officer, 60th Security Forces Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
7. July 2008 – October 2009, Flight Commander, 30th Student Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. October 2009 – June 2010, Director of Training, Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. June 2010 – July 2012, Commander, 460th Security Forces Squadron, Buckley AFB, Colo.
10. July 2012 – December 2013, Air Force Fellow, Legislative Liaison Fellowship, US Capital, Washington DC
11.January 2014 – June 2015, Congressional Liaison Officer, Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC
12. June 2015 – June 2017, Commander, 10th Security Forces Squadron, US Air Force Academy, Colo
13. June 2017 – Jun 2020, Chief, Mission Assurance Division, USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill.
14. June 2020 – Jun 2021, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. June 2021 – May 2024, Chief, Security Forces Division, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
16. May 2024 – June 2026, Commander, 375th Mission Support Group, Scott AFB, Ill.
17. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 628th Air Base Wing, and Commander, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

DEPLOYED COMMANDER

August 2006 – February 2007, Commander, 455th Security Forces Squadron, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS