Col. Al Allenback, USAF (Ret.), entered the Air Force in 1974 after commissioning through Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Following completion of undergraduate pilot training as the outstanding graduate in his class, he was an instructor pilot and flight examiner in the A-10 Thunderbolt II. During his career, he has held a variety of operational and staff positions including aircraft commander, aide de ¬camp to the Commander in Chief, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command, and weapons staff officer in the Office of Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon.
Colonel Allenback has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. At Maxwell Air Force Base he served as commander of Civil Air Patrol-US Air Force and as commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing. He commanded the 609th Air Support Squadron and served as the Chief of Support Plans for 9th Air Force Headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He established and commanded the 9th Air Expeditionary Group at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, during Operation DESERT THUNDER and served as vice wing commander of the 4404th Wing (Provisional) at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. He also served as commander of the 4th Support Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Management from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master's degree in National and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army command and General Staff College and is a graduate of both the Air War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. Colonel Allenback is a command pilot with over 2,400 hours in the A-10.
Colonel Allenback's decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement medal, the joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Although Colonel Allenback retired from the United States Air Force in September 2002, his dedication to aviation and serving his country continues. AIM HIGH!