LIEUTENANT COLONEL PETER HARRISLIEUTENANT COLONEL PETER HARRISCommander 244th Combat Communications Squadron
1 September 2000 to 1 May 2003
Lt. Colonel Peter K Harris is a traditional Guardsman and currently a member of the 254th Combat Operations Group, Garland, Texas, supporting the Operations Section as a Staff Officer. He is currently assigned to HQ TXMF J6-OIC as the J6 Air Liaison Officer.
He was born on May 21, 1952 in Esslingen am Neckar, West Germany, immigrated to the United States in1960, and temporarily settled in Athens, Texas. He has lived in numerous places due to his father's military career. He earned B.S Chemistry (Magna cum Laude) from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Georgia in 1979 and a B. Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1981.
He served in the United States Army from 1972-1976 as a Crypto Specialist assigned to the Army Security Agency. In August 1984 he joined the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard. His responsibilities included Material Control Officer and Quality Control Officer. When transferred to Portland, Oregon in 1989 by his employer, he joined the 244th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS) where he served in numerous capacities including Squadron Engineer, Job Control Officer and Chief of Maintenance. He served as the 244th CBCS Squadron Commander from August 2000 until May 2003 then served as Commander of the 272nd CBCS from May 2003 until April 2004. From April 2004 through September 2005, he served as a Staff Officer with the 125th STP. In September 2005, he transferred to the Texas Air National Guard serving as a Staff Officer with the 254th Combat Operations Group.
His professional military education includes Squadron Officer School (1987), Air Command and Staff College (1996), and Air War College (2007). His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters.
As a civilian, he is employed as a chemical engineer by General Electric, Inc., responsible for all capital project work at the GE Water & Process Technology Orange and Beaumont, Texas Plants. He is a member of Elfun, General Electric's service organization.
He currently resides in Cedar Park, Texas where he attends New Hope Baptist Church. He and his wife Beth have two children, Jessica and Daniel. Jessica is a recent graduate of the University of North Florida, while Daniel is enrolled at Texas A&M University