James D. Kula

Captain Kula was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 29, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then served as an F-4 pilot back with the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB. His next assignment was as Weapons Officer for the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron and then for the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany, followed by service as an instructor and air defense seminar leader with the Tactical Leadership Program at Jever AB, West Germany. Major Kula attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and then served as a weapons and tactics inspector with the Tactical Air Command Inspector General Team at Langley AFB, Virginia. His next assignment was as Chief of Wing Inspections with the 347th Fighter Wing, and then as Commander of the 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 347th Fighter Wing, and finally as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations of the 347th Fighter Wing at Moody AFB, Georgia. Colonel Kula attended the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy, from January to July 1989, and then served as Director of Assignments with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AB, Germany. His next assignment was as Vice Commander of the 401st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB, Italy, followed by service as Vice Commander of the 39th Wing and Combined Force Air Component Commander of Combined Task Force, Operation Provide Comfort with the 7440th Composite Wing (Provisional) at Incirlik AB. He then served as Commander of the 39th Wing as well as Combined Force Air Component Commander. Colonel Kula next served as Team Chief, Air Combat Command Inspector General at Langley AFB, followed by service as Professor of Aerospace Studies with the Air Force ROTC detachment at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, from July 1996 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1999. After retiring from the Air Force, Jim served as Dean of Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for 10 years before he and his wife Jane retired in Prescott, Arizona, where they are near their daughter Sara and her husband Gabe, and their grandson Luke.