PHOTO PROVIDED Brian McCombs is pictured. McCombs is being posthumously inducted into the Keystone Central Foundation Hall of Fame.

MILL HALL — The Keystone Central Foundation is hosting its 5th Annual Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, March 12, at Central Mountain High School.

The following article is one in a series highlighting this year’s inductees. The honor recognizes outstanding graduates from the Keystone Central School District who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their personal or professional careers and have made significant contributions to their communities.

There is no fee to attend the ceremony, thanks to event sponsor Coploff, Ryan, and Houser. However, RSVPs are required. To RSVP or to place a congratulatory ad, visit www.kcfoundation.com or call 570-660-1306.

Brian McCombs

Bald-Eagle Nittany

Class of 1986

The Keystone Central Foundation will posthumously induct 1986 Bald-Eagle Nittany graduate Special Agent Brian McCombs into its 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame, honoring a hometown hero whose life and career embodied extraordinary service, leadership and integrity.

A proud graduate of the Keystone Central School District, McCombs leaves behind a legacy of excellence that reflects the very best of the community that helped shape him.

Brian McCombs dedicated more than 36 years to serving the United States, building a distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). He retired from military service as a lieutenant colonel and continued his commitment as a civilian special agent, eventually attaining the rank of GS-14 — an achievement reserved for individuals with exceptional expertise and leadership.

At the time of his passing, McCombs was serving as Special Agent in Charge of AFOSI Detachment 624 at Kadena Air Base in Japan.

Over the course of his career, he commanded six AFOSI detachments around the world, including assignments in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom; in Japan; and in England immediately following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. His work spanned complex criminal investigations involving cybercrime, counterintelligence, counterterrorism and fraud, and he held senior leadership roles at AFOSI headquarters as well as with the National Cyber Investigations Joint Task Force.

McCombs began his investigative career working undercover drug cases at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and went on to collaborate closely with sister agencies such as the FBI and NCIS, as well as international law enforcement partners in England, Germany and Japan. His exceptional service earned him numerous honors, including Field Grade Officer of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year.

An accomplished scholar as well as a leader, McCombs earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in economic crime from George Washington University and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also achieved black belts in Bujinkan Ninjitsu and Judo, studied under Bujinkan founder Masaaki Hatsumi and became a certified Krav Maga instructor.

Yet those who knew Brian McCombs best say his most enduring impact was not measured by titles or accolades, but by the way he treated people. He was a trusted mentor, teacher and advocate for agents in the field, consistently placing their well-being and mission success above politics or bureaucracy.

Known for speaking candidly and standing up for what he believed was right, he was deeply committed to protecting those who carried out the work on the front lines.

Brian was widely admired for his tireless work ethic and problem-solving mindset. Friends and colleagues often joked that the fastest way to stop him was to present him with an issue — because once he saw something that wasn’t right, he simply could not walk away. For Brian, the workday didn’t end at a set hour; it ended when the job was done.

Despite his high rank and global responsibilities, McCombs remained approachable, humble and grounded. He treated everyone with respect and led by example.

One memorable instance of this humility was when he volunteered a Sunday afternoon to personally give a small group a tour of the Pentagon. The quiet respect shown to him by those who passed spoke volumes, as did his thoughtful storytelling and measured reflections on a life of service.

Beyond his professional career, McCombs was deeply involved in giving back. He was an officer in the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, a law enforcement organization that raises funds for charitable causes, and helped organize fundraisers for the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C. He also supported morale and welfare efforts through the OSI Booster Club and taught self-defense classes to college students at George Mason University.

Through his leadership, courage and compassion, Brian McCombs shaped a generation of federal agents who continue to carry forward the lessons he imparted. His influence lives on through the countless “Brian McCombs stories” shared by those he mentored — stories that speak to a rare balance of bold leadership and quiet dedication.

Brian McCombs exemplified what it means to serve both country and community with honor. His life and legacy stand as a powerful testament to the values of the Keystone Central School District, making him a deeply deserving inductee into the Keystone Central Foundation’s 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame.