Col Matthew C. McGinnis is the Commander, 39th Weapons System Security Group, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye. As Commander, Col Szczepanski is responsible for more than 571 military and civilian personnel across three diverse squadrons encompassing 30 Air Force Specialty Codes. The group consists of maintenance, operations and operations support, and security forces personnel executing operations in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission objectives.
Col McGinnis is a Student at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy. During his studies, Col McGinnis participated in an industry study in the field of Advanced Manufacturing. He and his cohort examined how the United States – working with international and industry partners – could leverage Advanced Manufacturing to gain strategic advantage in defense production and supply-chain resilience.
Col McGinnis entered the Air Force in 2007 as a Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate of San Jose State University, California. He is a career Security Forces officer, with extensive experience in nuclear security operations and strategic policy. He previously commanded the 47th Security Forces Squadron at Laughlin AFB, Texas and the 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron at Minot AFB, North Dakota. Additionally, as an Air Force Legislative Fellow, Col McGinnis worked for Representative Xochitl Torres-Small working defense and veterans’ issues for the Congresswoman and New Mexico’s second district. He then served as a Legislative Liaison for US Strategic Command, Pentagon, Washington D.C. Prior to his current position, the Colonel served as Deputy Commander, 91st Security Forces Group, Minot AFB, N.D where he was second in command of a group of over 1,000 Airmen and civilians that provided continuous security monitoring, response, and logistical movement security for the 91st Missile Wing’s 8,500 square-mile missile complex.
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Operations, San Jose State University, Calif.
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Master of Business Administration, American Military University, Va.
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Graduate Certificate in Legislative Studies, Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
2020 Air Force Legislative Fellowship, Air War College, Washington D.C.
2023 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2026 Master of Science, Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2007 - November 2010, Flight Commander, 341st Security Forces Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
2. November 2010 - August 2011, Flight Leader, 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan Air Base (AB), Republic of South Korea
3. August 2011 - November 2011, Section Commander, 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of South Korea
4. November 2011 - November 2014, Operations Officer, 721st Security Forces Squadron, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo.
5. November 2014 - April 2017, Operations Officer, 60th Security Forces Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
6. April 2017 - June 2019, Commander, 47th Security Forces Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas
7. July 2019 - December 2020, Defense Fellow, Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Washington D.C.
8. January 2020 - December 2020, Legislative Fellow, Office of Representative Xochitl Torres Small, Washington D.C.
9. January 2021 - June 2023, Legislative Liaison, US Strategic Command, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
10. July 2023 - July 2024, Commander, 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
11. July 2024 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 91st Security Forces Group, Minot AFB, N.D.
12. July 2025 – June 2026, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
January 2021 - June 2023, Legislative Liaison, US Strategic Command, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 18, 2007
First Lieutenant September 22, 2009
Captain September 22, 2011
Major August 1, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2020
Colonel June 1, 2026