Military Veterans
James A. Dice
Date of Birth
24 November 1959
Brick Location
Liberty Side
Panel Number
17B
Biography
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) James A. Dice served in the U. S. Air Force from 1982 to 2007.
He entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Kansas State University Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in 1982.
He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base (AFB), CA. After earning his navigator wings in April 1983, he was assigned to the 349th Air Refueling Squadron at Beale AFB, CA, where he performed navigator duties on the KC-135Q Stratotanker. While assigned to this squadron, he participated in numerous peacetime aerial reconnaissance program operational missions refueling the SR-71 Blackbird. He also upgraded to instructor navigator and later to evaluator navigator.
In 1988, he was selected for assignment to the 305th Air Refueling Squadron, Grissom AFB, IN. While at Grissom AFB, he served as Training Flight Instructor Navigator, was receiver air refueling and special operations qualified, and participated directly in the initial missions of Operation JUST CAUSE.
He later served as Executive Officer to the Commander, 305th Air Refueling Wing. In 1991, he was assigned to the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE. At Offutt AFB, he performed duties as navigator and Training Flight Instructor Navigator in the E-4B National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) aircraft. As one of only seven Boeing 747-qualified navigators, he participated in numerous Presidential support and Joint Staff-directed missions.
In 1994, he was selected to attend the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) at Maxwell AFB, AL. After graduation from ACSC, he was assigned to the Tanker Airlift Control Center, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL, where he performed duties as an International Clearances Specialist.
Later, as Chief, Strategy and Policy Section, Directorate of Plans and Programs, he led the development and coordination of the AMC position on the National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, Defense Planning Guidance, and Joint/Service strategic planning issues. As Chief, En Route Office, he developed and communicated concepts, policies, and command positions on the Air Force Mobility En Route Structure and was the command focal point for mid and long-range overseas infrastructure issues and programs, managing $1.1 billion in infrastructure projects.
In 2000, he was assigned as Chief, Wing Plans for the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB, FL, where he oversaw the operations and logistics plans functions of the wing while managing the wing's support agreements necessary to 52 tenant units including two unified commands.
In 2002, he was assigned Commander, 6th Operations Support Squadron, where he commanded a diverse squadron of 106 personnel providing all aspects of airfield operations, air traffic control, weather, intelligence, air crew training, and mission scheduling support to the wing's flying mission.
In 2004, he was again assigned to Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, this time as Deputy Division Chief for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. In this capacity, he oversaw development in operating policies of the 1300+ civilian aircraft from 40 commercial airlines in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet.
He retired from active military duty on 1 June 2007.
Dice is a Master Navigator with over 3200 flying hours.
His military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He (currently, 2009) is a Program Analyst and leads the Headquarters Air Mobility Command Long Range Planning office in developing capabilities-based planning for the Mobility Air Forces.
Dice was born 24 November 1959 in Independence, KS. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University in 1982 and a Master of Aviation Sciences Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987. His resident professional military education includes Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL. Other professional education includes United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College and Air War College by correspondence.
He is married to the former Kathleen S. Gradwhol of Roeland Park, KS. They have three children—Brian, Megan, and Kevin.
Branch:
U.S. Air Force
Awards and Medals
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel