Col. Michael D. Baird is the Deputy Commander of the 146th Airlift Wing at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California. He assists in leading the Wing's Airmen, ensuring their effective administration, training, and employment. He aligns group-level goals with overarching national, regional, and state military strategies, guaranteeing the 146th Airlift Wing's readiness to support U.S. and allied forces during contingencies, disaster response, and humanitarian relief operations.
Col. Baird entered the Air Force in 2002 as a Crew Chief with the 163rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, supporting KC-135R operations. In April 2006, he was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson, Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. In 2007, Col. Baird became an Intelligence Officer, where he supported MQ-9 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations across multiple combatant commands. In 2014, he was selected to be the 163rd Attack Wing Executive Officer where he served until 2016, when he was assigned to Headquarters Air Force A2, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In 2017, he was selected as the 163rd Attack Wing’s Senior Intelligence Officer, and in 2019 he became the 163rd Operations Support Squadron Director of Operations. In 2021, Col. Baird served as the Commander, 163rd Operations Support Squadron until 2023, where he was assigned as the Commander, 163rd Maintenance Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California.
Col. Baird has commanded in both the Operations Group and Maintenance Group and was the lead project officer in the standup of the 163rd Attack Wing’s Hap Arnold Innovation Center, where he served as the director of innovation from 2015 to 2021. As both an intelligence officer and maintenance officer, he has supported Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support, and Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, Col. Baird served as the Commander, 146th Maintenance Group, where he oversaw 280 personnel and directed maintenance operations supporting C-130J tactical airlift of personnel and materiel, combat delivery of paratroops, aeromedical evacuation, photo reconnaissance and wildfire suppression for the U.S. Forest Service using the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS).
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
2006 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2013 Squadron Office School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2016 Master of Organizational Leadership, California Baptist University, Riverside
2018 Advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Leadership Course, Goodfellow, AFB, Texas
2020 Air Command and Staff College - Online Master’s Degree Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Professional Innovator Certification, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
2022 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2024 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2025 Enterprise Logistics Course, Wright Patterson, AFB, Ohio
2026 Contingency Wartime Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2002–January 2007, KC-135R Crew Chief, 163rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
2. July 2007–October 2014, Intelligence Officer, 163rd Operations Support Squadron, March ARB, Calif. (Deployed in Place: Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support and Inherent Resolve)
3. October 2014–December 2016, Wing Executive Officer, 163rd Attack Wing, March ARB, Calif.
4. February 2015–December 2021, Director of Hap Arnold Innovation Center, 163rd Attack Wing, March ARB, Calif.
5. June 2016–October 2016, Project Officer, Headquarters Air Force, A2 Innovation, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. February 2016–March 2019, Senior Intelligence Officer, 163rd Attack Wing, March ARB, Calif.
7. March 2019-December 2021, Director of Operations, 163rd Operations Support Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
8. December 2021–September 2023, Commander, 163rd Operations Support Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
9. September 2023–July 2025, Commander, 163rd Maintenance Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
10. July 2025–July 2026, Commander, 146th Maintenance Group, Channel Islands ANGS, Calif.
11. October 2026-Present, Deputy Commander, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands ANGS, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
Armed Force Reserve Medal with three “M” Devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 Air Combat Command Unit Effectiveness Inspection Superior Performer Award
2014 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 163rd Operations Group
2015 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 163rd Attack Wing Headquarters
2019 Air National Guard Larry O. Spencer Innovation Team Award
2018 Field Grade Officer of the Year, 163rd Operations Group
2018 Air Combat Command Unit Effectiveness Inspection Outstanding Team and Superior Performance Award
2020 Future Trends Award, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Field Grade Officer of the Year, 163rd Maintenance Group
PUBLICATIONS
“Implications Of Artificial Intelligence Integration into Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations,” Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., 2020
(Current as of July 2026)