Colonel Kevin McNeight is a Command Pilot with more than 10,000 military and civilian hours. He has served as the Commander of the 700th Airlift Squadron from April, 2004 to present. The 700th is the only C-130 Formal Training Unit in the United States Air Force Reserve and is responsible for the formal training of pilots, navigators, flight engineers and loadmasters from Active duty, Air Reserve and Air National Guard units throughout the country who directly contribute to the Global War on Terrorism.
Colonel McNeight earned his Bachelor of Science degree in management as well as his commission as a second lieutenant from the Air Force Academy in 1980. He earned his pilot wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas in 1981. After completing initial C-130 pilot training, he was assigned to the 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. After upgrading to instructor pilot, he was assigned to the 16th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron at Little Rock, Arkansas. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserve and joined the 700th Airlift Squadron at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in 1989. After serving in several Group and Wing level jobs in the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Lieutenant Colonel McNeight became the 700th Airlift Squadron Commander in 2004.
Colonel McNeight is also a Captain for Delta Air Lines, where he has been employed since October, 1988. There he has flown the Boeing 727 and the McDonald Douglas MD88. He has also worked in Delta’s training department for seven years as a Senior Instructor for B727 Second Officers, three years for Delta’s Fuel Conservation Program, one year as a B727 Second Officer Simulator Instructor and one year as Second Officer Line Check Airman.
He flew the B727, his favorite airliner, for Delta until the airline discontinued its operation and has flown the C-130 aircraft for the Air Force his entire military career. In Air Force training, he also flew the Schweitzer Glider, T-41, T-37, and T-38.
He grew up in the small town of Stratford, Wisconsin and is the son of the late Allison and Adella McNeight. He earned the designation of Eagle Scout as a young man and the honor of appointments to both the Air Force and Naval Academies. He knew that he wanted to be a pilot sine he was eight years old and has been blessed to be able to live his dream.