Weapons Safety Individual of the Year: Captain Michael J. Peeler

Mobility Forum, Mar/Apr 2005

62d Airlift Wing * McChord AFB, Washington

Capt Michael J. Peeler is the 62d Airlift Wing Nuclear Surety Manager, McChord AFB, WA, where he is responsible for the wing's Nuclear Surety, Prime Nuclear Airlift Force (PNAF), and Personnel Reliability programs. During this period, Capt Peeler was assigned to the staff of Joint Task Force Mighty Guardian VII as the airlift liaison and safety officer for DOD's test and evaluation of nuclear surety policies. He operated the largest nuclear airlift in history, and contributed to the writing and testing of agreements between the DOD and DOE for international movement of nuclear cargo. As the OPR for a DOD audit, a command Staff Assistance Visit, and a Joint Nuclear Surety Inspection, Capt Peeler's program was rated by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency as the "Best Nuclear Surety Program in three years."

Born on 18 February 1976, he grew up in Modesto, CA, and received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998. After completing pilot training in 1999 he was assigned to the 4AS at McChord as a C-141B pilot. In 2001 he transitioned to the C-17A and soon became the Chief PNAF Mission Planner. Capt Peeler is a C-17A Instructor Pilot, and PNAF Courier/Aircraft Commander. He has flown missions supporting Operations Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, as well as numerous Phoenix Banner, embassy re-supply and nuclear airlift missions. He commanded the first-ever combat airlift of an M1A1 Abrams tank, flew on the first C-17A nuclear airlift, and participated in the 173d Brigade airdrop into northern Iraq.

Capt Peeler is married to the former Shannon Kavanaugh. They have two children: two-year-old clayton, and newborn Tyler.