Colonel LEWIS K. WHITEHEAD

Colonel Lewis “Keith” Whitehead is the Commander of the 860th Cyberspace Operations Group, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He is responsible for directing the operations and staff activities of over 667 personnel in seven units, to include the coordination, organization, and presentation of Air Force Reserve Command cyber forces to Air Forces Cyber, 16th Air Force, Air Combat Command, and United States Cyber Command. The missions of these units encompass defensive cyber-operations, cyber training, and theater deployable communications.

Col. Whitehead entered the Air Force in July 2003 through ROTC from Alabama State University. He served on active duty until joining the Air Force Reserve in 2011. Keith was deployed in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE. His career in the Air Force comprises of base communications, combat communications, operational test and evaluation for C4ISR systems, enterprise level cyber operations, squadron and deputy group command and deputy director of AFRC Commander’s Action Group. Prior to assuming his current position, Col. Whitehead served as the Chief of Cyber Programs and Requirements, HQ Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, GA. In this position, he advised the AFRC commander on long range plans for cyber operations.

EDUCATION

2003 Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems, Alabama State University, Montgomery, Ala.
2003 Basic Communications Officer Training (BCOT), Keesler AFB, Miss.
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., in residence
2009 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2009 Master of Business Administration, TUI University, Calif.
2009 Acquisition SPRDE level 2
2009 Cyber Network Training
2010 Squadron Officer School, in residence
2010 Cyber X Course
2012 Cyber
space 200, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2014 Project Management Professional Certification
2015 Cyber Defense and Control Operations 
2016
Cyberspace 300, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Certified Information Security Manager Certification
2022 Reserve Component National Security Course
2023 Joint Combined Warfighter School – Hybrid

ASSIGNMENTS

1.  July 2003 – October 2005, Communication Officer, 78th Communication Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
2.  October 2005 – October 2007, Deputy Flight Commander, 52 CBCS, Robins AFB, Ga.
3.  November 2007 – 2009, Test Director, AFOTEC Det 3, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
4.  November 2009 – March 2011, Test Director, AFOTEC Det 2, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5.  March 2011 – April 2013, Flight Commander, 908 LRS, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
6.  April 2013 – September 2014, Director of Operations, 55 CBCS, Robins AFB, Ga.
7.  September 2014 – October 2016, IMA to Director of Operations, 26 NOS, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
8.  October 2016 – May 2017, Director of Operations, 689 NOS, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
9.  May 2017 – August 2019, Commander, 689 NOS, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
10.  August 2019 – July 2021, Deputy Group Commander, 960 COG, JBSA-Lackland AFB, Texas
11.  July 2021 – September 2022, Deputy Director, Commander’s Action Group, HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, Ga.
12.  September 2022 – August 2024, Chief of Cyber Programs, HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, Ga.
13.  August 2024 – Present, Commander, 860 COG, Robins AFB, Ga.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal