By the Maryland National Guard Public Affairs
Greer native Scott Kelly, 175th Wing commander with the Maryland Air National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at the Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., last week.
Kelly and his family celebrated the promotion pinning his one star rank during the ceremony. Kelly is a resident of Fallston, Md., where he resides with his wife Kristi and their three sons, Sean, Grant and Brett.
“This is a tremendous personal milestone for him and his family,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland. “He will continue to lead the outstanding Airmen of the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard.”
Brig. Gen. Kelly began his military career after graduating from The Citadel in 1983 and received his commission as an Air Force second lieutenant. Upon completion of his undergraduate pilot training, he flew the T-38 as a first assignment instructor pilot. He transitioned to the A-10 Thunderbolt II as a fighter pilot, instructor pilot, and flight commander assigned to the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England Air Force Base, La. In 1990, his squadron deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and returned following the Gulf War in March 1991.
Kelly was assigned to the 175th Fighter Group of the Maryland Air National Guard in December 1991 and initially served as an active duty liaison/adviser and served as the chief of Plans and chief of the Exercise and Evaluation Team. In October 1997, he left active duty to join the Maryland Air National Guard and became a full-time Active/Guard/Reserve member. Since joining the Guard, he has worked as the chief of Programming, Flight commander, assistant director of Operations, Fighter Squadron commander, Operations Group commander, Mission Support Group commander and Wing vice commander, before taking the position as the Wing commander in 2009.
Kelly is a command pilot with more than 3,700 military flying hours. In Operation Desert Storm, he flew 92.5 hours and 40 combat sorties. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and served as the Wing vice commander of the 455th Expeditionary Group from January to July 2003.
He is a graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officers School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College. His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal with five devices.