SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
On Thursday, April 5, the Gordy Honors Forum Speakers Series will play host to Lt. Col. Michael J. “Gibbo” Gibbons, USAFR, ret. The 6 p.m. presentation will be in Nissan Auditorium in Parkinson Hall, on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. The program is free and open to the public.
Gibbons will speak on the topic “The Politics of Command.” Using historical and contemporary examples, as well as personal experience, he will discuss what considerations go into command decisions, as well as the nature of leadership.
“We are thrilled to have an individual that can bring this type of experience and analysis to such an important topic,” said Dr. Thomas Velek, director of the Gordy Honors College. ” It is going to be an interesting presentation for students as well as the whole community.”
Gibbons was educated at Northern Illinois University and Webster University, as well as the Squadron Officers School (1988), Air Command and Staff College (2002), and Air War College (2007). His 30 years of military service included the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
Gibbons completed 96 combat flight hours during his deployment in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Southern Watch in 1995. He is an F-4G “Wild Weasel” pilot and served as a squadron commander. Gibbons’ staff positions include Air Force Reserve Command Operations Division (2006) and Central Command Joint Plans Division (2009).
His military decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf clusters), Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal (three Oak Leaf clusters), Joint Commendation Medal, Commendation Medal (four Oak Leaf clusters), Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
Gibbons is currently a pilot for Delta Airlines, with over 10,000 hours of civilian and military flying hours.
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