Col. Ben Rudolphi is this year’s speaker at Tishomingo County High School’s Veterans Day Program to be held on Thursday, November 9, at 9 AM.

The Rudolphi family moved to Iuka in 1990 when Ben’s father was transferred here as the Advanced Solid Rocket Booster Facilities Project Manager with NASA.

Rudolphi is the Deputy Commander of the 23d Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The 23d Wing is home to the legendary “Flying Tigers” and consists of five groups, with 21 squadrons comprised of more than 4,000 Airmen, over 700 civilian employees and 71 aircraft. The wing provides A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft for close air support, forward air control and combat support for combatant commander requirements worldwide. The 23d Wing also provides combat search and rescue and personnel recovery capabilities through the employment of HC-130J Combat King IIs, HH-60W Jolly Green IIs, and Guardian Angel weapon systems. The wing has units at Moody AFB, Ga, and Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida.

Col. Rudolphi commissioned in December 2001 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Mississippi State University. He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron, group, and wing levels, including an assignment to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School as Deputy Commandant. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Rudolphi was the Chief of the F-35 System Management Office at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Ben is married to Ronni, and they have 4 children: Luke, 19; Vera, 17; Joseph, 15; and Henry, 12. Ben enjoys flying and running and began both of those interests while living here in Iuka.