Colonel
Graham J. Cummin Jr.
Commander, 1st Civil Support Brigade
Colonel Graham (Jerry) Cummin is the Commander of the 1st Civil Support Brigade of the S.C. State Guard (SCSG). COL Cummin received his commission in 1984 from the United States Air Force Academy. He then attended initial flight and Electronic Warfare (EW) training to begin flying the McDonald Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel in 1986. The following year he began his first operational assignment with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippines. In 1990, he transitioned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, flying Weasels with the 480th and 81st Fighter Squadrons. During this assignment, he flew 37 missions in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM and is credited with two Iraqi radar kills. In 1994, then CPT Cummin moved to the 561st Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV. As Flight Commander and Examiner, he continued to fly another 121 missions into Iraq with another confirmed radar kill in support of OPERATION NORTHERN and SOUTHERN WATCH. In 1996, promoted to MAJ, he was reassigned to the 36th Engineering and Test Squadron, Eglin AFB FL, to test the F16CJ HARM Targeting System, and later served as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, establishing the EW Aggressor program, checking EW systems on USAF fighters throughout the world. In 2000, promoted to LTC, he moved to San Antonio, TX, to become the Operations Officer for the 453rd EW Squadron, then Commander of the mighty 92 IW Aggressor Squadron, assessing and securing critical infrastructure for bases around the world. In 2004, his final tour was in United States Air Forces Europe, serving as Chief of Air Operations at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Special Technical Operations Chief, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. During that time, he also served with the 25th Infantry Division, 4BCT, on the ground in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, providing Counter IED support. He retired from Active Duty in 2009 but continued to work another 5 years in Germany with the United States Africa Command, responsible for all exercises across the northern region of Africa from Morrocco to Egypt.
Upon returning to the United States, he wanted to continue serving his Country and entered Allegheny County PA Police Academy. In 2015 he became a Law Enforcement and SWAT officer, serving with the University of Pittsburgh Police Department. In 2021, he moved to Charleston, SC, to be near his retiring parents and became the First Civil Support Brigade XO in February 2022.
COL Cummin is currently a Doctoral Candidate for Strategic Leadership. He is a six-year law enforcement officer, graduate of Air War College, and Master Aviator with 25 years of Active-Duty Military service and close to 2,000 fighter hours and 532 hours of aerial combat. His personal awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (five oak leaf clusters), and Aerial Achievement Medal (4 oak leaf clusters). He has six children: Alyssa, Lucas, Andy, Peter, Henry, and Anthony, and is married to the lovely Kristi Cummin of Pittsburgh.