Colonel James Allen Regenor
Colonel James Allen Regenor
Colonel James Allen Regenor was born in Erie, PA, on April 8th 1964. He is the son of Mr. Jon A. Regenor and Mrs. Marilee E. Agostini, and the stepson of Mr. Louis J. Agostini. Colonel Regenor received his education from the Sisters of Mercy at St. Luke and Mercyhurst Preparatory Schools where the sisters encouraged his curiosity and sense of adventure. His passion for flight was sparked right here at the Erie International Airport where as a young boy he would attend airshows with his family. He would marvel at the precision aerobatics of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as they performed and dream about flying. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on January 20th, 1982. Initially, Colonel Regenor entered the Air Force as an enlisted crewmember on a Titan II Missile Combat Crew in the Strategic Air Command.
As an Airman First Class, he was selected for a program that allowed enlisted members to compete for an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Colonel Regenor graduated from United States Air Force Academy in the class of 1988. He attained flight qualifications as co-pilot, aircraft commander, instructor pilot, and evaluator pilot in the Strategic Air Command, Air Mobility Command, and the Air Education and Training Command. Colonel Regenor was selected for command three times. First as the squadron commander of the Fightin’ Fourth Airlift Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Washington; then as the squadron commander of 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron; and last, as the group commander of the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, Naval Station Rota, Spain.
He flew combat and combat support missions in during Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, PROVIDE COMFORT, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, PROVIDE PROMISE, PROVIDE HOPE, SHINING HOPE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, and provided air refueling, air mobility, airdrop, primary nuclear airlift, and aeromedical evacuation support during the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo. His staff tours include the Joint Staff (J-3), Headquarters U.S. Air Force Air Staff, CHECKMATE and Current Operations Divisions, and U.S. Strategic Command Joint Forces Component Command Integrated Missile Defense (J-5 & J-7). Colonel Regenor was also selected to serve as the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Security Council, Executive Office of the President, for Presidents Bush and Obama.
Colonel Regenor is a command pilot with over 4,100 flying hours and 400+ combat / combat support hours in the T-37, T-38, KC-135R and C-17A. He has been award multiple medals, campaign ribbons, and service ribbons. Most notable are two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, two Aerial Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (one with Valor). Colonel Regenor served our nation with distinction for 31 years.
Colonel Regenor attributes his success to the Airmen he served with and to the lessons he learned in the “crucible of courage” …the wrestling rooms where he learned to wrestle in his youth. Colonel Regenor is married to the former Sherece L. Shultz of Orland, California, and they have two children, Keaton Allen Regenor and Amelia Caroline Regenor. Colonel James Allen Regenor is a proud son of Erie!