View January 2025 KANZA Warrior Spotlight: Lt. Col. James Magill

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Wing

1. What is your hometown? Where did you grow up?
I was born at Keesler Air Force Base, located in Biloxi, Mississippi. I was a military brat, so I’ll claim Fayetteville, Arkansas, as my hometown. 

2. What is your civilian job?
For my civilian job I am the Chief of Safety 931st Air Refueling Wing. As a traditional reservist, I work as an instructor pilot with the 924th Air Refueling Squadron.

3. Why did you join the 931st ARW?
I wanted to keep flying and doing my part when I left the active-duty Air Force.

4. What are your goals (i.e. personal, school)?
I’d like to finish a master’s degree soon, and I would like to get to be an evaluator in the KC-46A as I "grow up.”

5. What are your hobbies?
I love anything competitive. I love baseball and hockey.  I’m also big into collecting sports cards and enjoy going to shows. I also buy/sell/trade collections of cards fairly frequently.

6. How do you contribute to the 931st mission?  
I fly and teach the KC-46 flying mission while also being in charge of monitoring the safety programs across the wing as part of the base for the commander.  I also work and integrate with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing to help their safety office.

7. What's your favorite part of the mission?
Learning to perform receiver aerial refueling was a challenge to learn.  I struggled at first, but practiced a lot and now I help teach it, and help others learn that skill.