Class of 1983 – Distinguished Graduate

Lt Col. D.K. Carpenter is the Commander of the 183d Mission Support Group (183MSG), 183d Fighter Wing, Springfield, Illinois.  Kent graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management and from the University of Management & Technology-Arlington VA in 2014 with an MBA.  His professional military education includes the Academy of Military Science, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff and Air War College.  Lt Col. Carpenter served in various positions within the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois, before taking his present assignment with the 183 MSG.  He has deployed in numerous military operations, most notably, Operation Eldorado Canyon (Libya), Joint Forge/Joint Endeavor (Bosnia), and three tours with Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Lt Col. Carpenter has received numerous military awards and decorations.