Col. Kelli R. Moon is currently serving as the Commander, 11th Operations Group, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. She is responsible for the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps at Arlington National Cemetery, the United States Air Force Band and the United States Air Force Honor Guard as they provide premiere ceremonial and funeral support across the National Capital Region and for senior U.S. and international leaders. She commands approximately 500 chaplains, musicians, ceremonial guardsmen and staff in performing over 3,100 missions each year. Additionally, she is responsible for an annual $5.5 million operating budget and $47 million in facilities and equipment.
Col. Moon is a 2001 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she completed a Bachelor of Art in Political Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. She has held various positions to include Executive Officer at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center, Operations Officer at Basic Military Training, Special Operations Support Squadron Section Commander, JSOAC J1, Legislative Liaison for Air Force Special Operations Command, Assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Operations Officer at the Pentagon and Joint Base Andrews Force Support Squadrons, Department Chair for Air Force Special Operations Command’s Language and Culture Center, Force Support Squadron Commander, and Division Chief of Air Force Learning. Additionally, Col. Moon is an Air Force Political Military Affairs Strategist.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
2004 Master of Arts, Political Science, Distinguished Graduate, St. Mary’s University, Texas
2002 Aerospace Basic Course, in residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Squadron Officer School, in residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, in residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2001–October 2001, Executive Officer, Defense Language Institute English Language Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
- October 2001–May 2003, Operations Officer, 324th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
- May 2003–August 2004, Flight Commander, Relocations & Training Flight, Lackland AFB, Texas
- August 2004–January 2005, Executive Officer, 737th Training Group, Lackland AFB, Texas
- January 2005–January 2007, Section Commander, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- January 2007–April 2007, Chief of Career Enhancements, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- April 2007–August 2008, Legislative Liaison, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- August 2008–May 2012, Assistant Professor, United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
- May 2012–June 2013, Operations Officer, 11th Force Support Squadron, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
- June 2013–July 2014, Operations Officer, 11th Force Support Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
- August 2014–June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- June 2015–August 2015, Deputy Chief of Theater Engagement, USAF Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- August 2015–June 2017, Department Chair, Language and Culture Center, USAF Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
- June 2017–July 2019, Commander, 48th Force Support Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom
- Aug 2019–Jan 2022, Deputy Chief, Air Force Learning Division, HQ Air Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
- Jan 2022–July 2024, Chief, Air Force Learning Division, HQ Air Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
- July 2024–present, Commander, 11th Operations Group, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 devices
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with 2 devices
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major June 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2016
Colonel, Jan. 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2024)