Lt. Col. James T. Garvey serves as the Deputy Commander of the 188th Wing, and the Deputy Commander for Maintenance and Mission Support for the 85th Fighter Group, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark. The 188th Wing consists of over 1,052 Airmen who provide airpower via the MQ-9A Reaper, Intelligence Analysis and Targeting, Expeditionary Medicine, and Full-Spectrum Mission Support. Additionally, the 188th Wing is the host to the F-35 Foreign Military Sales Formal Training Unit. As the Deputy Commander for the 85th Fighter Group, Lt. Col. Garvey provides logistics and mission support for the Foreign Military Sales mission tasked to provide F-35 pilot training for international students.
Lt. Col. Garvey enlisted into the United States Air Force in June 1990 and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. In May 1991, he graduated Aircraft Maintenance technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas. In 1993, he received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas. He would go on to commission in June 2004 after attending the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee. Overall, the colonel served 13 years as a traditional Guardsman and eventually transitioned as an Active Guard Reserve member in June 2011.
Throughout his military career, the colonel has commanded multiple squadrons at Ebbing ANGB. Additionally, he supported numerous military operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, the colonel served as the Deputy Commander for the 188th Mission Support Group while also serving as the 188th Wings Foreign Military Sales Integration Officer.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
2000 Master of Education Degree, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville
2004 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2006 Educational Specialist Degree, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, by correspondence
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
Assignments
- July 1990 – May 2004, Crew Chief, 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- June 2004 – June 2011, Maintenance Operations Flight Commander, 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- June 2011 – September 2013, Maintenance Squadron Commander, 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- September 2013 – August 2020, Force Support Squadron Commander, 188th Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- August 2020 – February 2024, Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, 188th Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- February 2024 – March 2025, Mission Support Group Deputy Commander, 188th Wing, Fort Smith, Ark.
- March 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, 85th Fighter Group, Ebbing ANGB, Fort Smith, Ark.
- January 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander, 188th Wing, Ebbing ANGB, Fort Smith, Ark.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with two devices
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one device
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four devices
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two devices
Iraq Campaign Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
AF Longevity Service with five devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three ‘M’ devices
NATO Medal
2012 Arkansas Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
2013 Lance P Sijan Recipient
2013 NGAUS Theodore Roosevelt Leadership Award for Company Grade Officers
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class July 30,1990
Senior Airman March 1, 1992
Staff Sergeant July 1, 1995
Technical Sergeant Aug. 1, 2002
Second Lieutenant June 25, 2004
First Lieutenant June 25, 2006
Captain June 25, 2008
Major March 25, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 2, 2018
Second Lieutenant Dec. 16, 2000
(Current as of February 2026)