Colonel Kim Hawthorne

Class of 1982 Colonel Hawthorne graduated from OTHS as a co-valedictorian. He was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Squadron Commander for the Air Force Junior ROTC unit, and earned 10 varsity letters in cross country, swimming, and track. He received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics with military honors. In 1987 he received his pilot’s wings and served for five years as a T-37 instructor pilot. In 1993 he deployed to Saudi Arabia as an EF-111 pilot in support of Operation Southern Watch, and in 1994 to Turkey, Saudi, Italy, and Bosnia. After these actions he transitioned to flying the F-15E. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2002 and assigned to the faculty of the Joint Forces Staff College. In 2005-2006, he served as the Deputy Group Commander of the USAF’s Officer Training School. In 2007 he was awarded the Bronze Star for service as an advisor in Iraq and for “exceptionally meritorious achievement as Commander, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron.” Col Hawthorne developed the campaign plan charting the development of the Iraqi Air Force, which according to the Bronze Star narrative “will have a profound impact on Iraq for many years.” In November 2008, he was promoted to Colonel. Col Hawthorne is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours, including 234 combat hours, and is currently assigned to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command as the Chief, Future Concepts and Capabilities Division. During high school Kim was the President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and he served for twelve years on the national council for Officers’ Christian Fellowship, a ministry that encourages and equips Christian leaders and families in the military.