Colonel M. Lee Hartley, Jr. is the Commander of the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Colonel Hartley graduated from Doyle High School in 1987 and received a congressional appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Following graduation and commissioning in 1991, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, TX and earned his wings in October 1992.
Colonel Hartley has flown aerial refueling missions supporting Operations Northern Watch, Deliberate Forge, Icelandic Air Defense and over 60 combat missions supporting for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Additionally, Colonel Hartley has deployed to locations including: Incirlik AB, Turkey, Istres, France, Rhein Mein AB, Germany, RAF Mildenhall AB, England, Manas AB, Kyrgyzic Republic, Al Udeid AB, Qatar, and Camp Marmal, Afghanistan. From June 2006 – April 2007, Colonel Hartley was an initial cadre Instructor Pilot for the 134th ARW conversion to the KC-135R.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mechanics from United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
1996 Squadron Officer School (by correspondence)
2003 Air Command and Staff College (by correspondence)
2009 Air War College (by correspondence)
2015 Master of Business Administration, from Liberty University, Virginia
2021 Joint and Combined Warfighting School
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1991 – October 1992, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX
2. October 1992 – March 1993, student, T-37B Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph AFB, TX
3. March 1993 – April 1995, T-37B Instructor Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
4. April 1995 – September 1997, T-37B Instructor Pilot, Randolph AFB, TX
5. October 1997 – December 2001, KC-135E Pilot, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
6. January 2002 - 2004, KC-135E Aircraft Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
7. June 2004 – April 2008, KC-135E/R Instructor Pilot, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
8. April 2008 – September 2011, Chief, Standards/Evaluations, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
9. September 2011 – April 2012, Maintenance Squadron Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
10. April 2012 – October 2014, Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
11. October 2014 – August 2016, 151st Air Refueling Squadron Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
12. August 2016 -- August 2018, 134th Air Refueling Wing Vice Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot (Commercial Airline Transport Pilot)
Flight Hours: Over 6800 (5400 military, 1400 commercial)
Military Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135E and KC-135R
Commercial Aircraft Flown: DC-9, A-319, A-320, A-321
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal three bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two silver oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three Mobility Devices and silver hour glass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Tennessee National Guard Professional Development Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Tennessee National Guard War Service Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Tennessee National Guard Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Ribbon
Tennessee National Guard Outstanding Unit Performance Commendation
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 1991
First Lieutenant May 29, 1991
Captain May 29, 1991
Major August 13, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel February 04, 2005
Colonel August 22, 2016
(Current as of Feb 2022)