Col Anthony L. Skeesick is the Deputy Commander of the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. In this role, he ensures the continued readiness of more than 1,200 Airmen, supporting both the state and federal mission. The organization’s primary missions are to provide close air support and forward air control, defensive cyber operations, and combat-ready special warfare Airmen to combat troops in support of combat operations abroad, as well as providing ready Airmen to respond to stateside emergencies at a moment’s notice.
Col Skeesick began his military career in April 2001 when he received a regular commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University AFROTC Program. He completed the F-15E Basic Qualification Course in September 2004, beginning an operations focused active-duty career. Over the course of 12 years, Col Skeesick served as a Weapon Systems Officer, Air Liaison Officer, and finally as an Instructor Weapon Systems Officer. He served in the 494th and 389th Fighter Squadrons where he deployed three times in support of Operations IRAQ FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Additionally, he served as a Jump Air Liaison Officer for the 101st Airborne Division with the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron, again deploying in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He transitioned to the Idaho Air National Guard in 2013. As an Idaho Guardsman, he served as the Director of Operations and Commander of the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, then continued squadron command as the Commander of the 124th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS). Following his time in the LRS, Col Skeesick served as the Director of Staff at the Joint Forces Headquarters level. Prior to his current position, Col Skeesick was the Mission Support Group Commander, Idaho Air National Guard, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Applied Experimental Psychology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ., Daytona Beach, Fla.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell, AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1.July 2002 - November 2003, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Naval Air Facility Pensacola, Fla.
2.November 2003 - September 2004, Student, F-15E B-Course, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB), N.C.
3.September 2004 - August 2007, F-15E Weapon Systems Officer, 494th Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
4.August 2007 - October 2010, Air Liaison Officer, 19th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Campbell, Ky.
5. October 2010 - November 2013, F-15E Instructor Weapon Systems Officer, 389th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
6.November 2013 - December 2019, Director of Operations, Commander, 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
7.December 2019 - December 2022, Commander, 124th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
8.December 2022 - April 2023, Director of Staff, Idaho Air National Guard, Gowen Field, Idaho
9.April 2023 - May 2025, Commander, 124th Mission Support Group, Gowen Field, Idaho
10.May 2025 - Present, Deputy Wing Commander, 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, Idaho
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Navigator
Flight Hours: 1857, including 975 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: F-15E, QF-4, T-38, T-39 and T-34
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Idaho Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation
Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 17, 2001
First Lieutenant May 17, 2003
Captain May 17, 2005
Major December 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel December 6, 2015
Colonel January 3, 2023
(Current as of September 2025)