Colonel Robert A. Leech is commander of the 690th Electronic Security Group, Tempelhof Air Base, Germany, a subordinate unit of the Air Force Intelligence Command, headquartered at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.

Colonel Leech was born Nov. 23, 1947, in Lewes, Delaware. He graduated from Garland (Texas) High School in 1965. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from the University of the South in 1969 and a master of arts degree in public administration from Ball State University in 1976. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College and the National Senior Cryptologic Course.

The colonel was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and entered the Air Force in June 1969. He completed the Missile Launch Officer Training Course at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, in July 1969. Following completion of the Strategic Air Command Minuteman Combat Crew Training Course at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in September 1969, he was assigned to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. There he served in several missile crew positions and as chief of current operations, Wing Training Division.

Colonel Leech completed the Signals Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, in 1974. In October 1974, he was assigned to the 6931st Security Squadron, Iraklion Air Station, Crete, as Flight commander and chief of operations management. He was assigned to the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, in October 1976. While at the NSA, he was a participant in the Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program, serving in a number of positions within the operations organization and the program and budget office.

In April 1979, he was transferred to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., with duties in the Intelligence Programming Group, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Evaluation. Colonel Leech was then assigned to the 6912th Electronic Security Group, Tempelhof Central Airport, Berlin, in September 1981 as the Marienfelde operations officer.

He was assigned to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, in July 1984 as the operations officer for the 6903rd Electronic Security Group. He was assigned as commander of the 6949th Electronic Security Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, in August 1986. He assumed command of the 6911th Electronic Security Squadron, Hahn Air Base, Germany, in July 1989. He assumed his present position in June 1991.

His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Colonel Leech is married to the former Veronica Anne Monahan of Seattle. They have two children, Roger and Megan.

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