Lt. Col. Keith Ross is a 1982 graduate of West Babylon Senior High School.  

The day after graduation, he left for basic training in the US. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He earned a B.S. Science in Civil Engineering as the top-ranked student in his major at USAF Academy in 1986.  Keith then trained as a pilot at Reese AFB, Texas and earned his wings in 1987 as a KC-135 Combat Crew pilot.  He served at Loring AFB, Maine, and Altus AFB, Oklahoma in several roles, including aircraft commander, instructor pilot, flight commander, and evaluator pilot.  Keith also earned two Masters’ degrees – an M.S. in Administration from Central Michigan University in 1995 and M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Maine in 1998.  The latter degree focused on environmental engineering, which enabled him to serve as an instructor of seven courses at the Air Force Academy from 1998 to 2002.  

Keith was called back to operational duty in 2002 and requalified to fly the K-135 at Fairchild AFB in Washington.  In 2003, he deployed as Deputy Chief of the Air Mobility Division for the Iraq War where he coordinated airlift and tanker operations throughout U.S. Central Command’s theatre of operation.

During his career, he has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM.  

Keith retired in 2006 after twenty years of service.  He made his home in Colorado Springs with his wife Trisha (now deceased) and three sons.  He worked in the private sector for several years, first as a high school math teacher and then as the head of civil engineering for a government contractor responsible for buildings on the Air Force Academy grounds.

Today, Keith enjoys staying fit, walking his dogs, and spending time with his two young granddaughters.