Colonel Christopher M. Robinson is the Commander, 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. The 437th Airlift Wing deploys Airmen and aircraft worldwide in support of contingency operations that involve the airland and airdrop delivery of forces, equipment, and supplies. These missions support combat operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed special operations missions, and U.S.-sponsored humanitarian relief efforts.
Colonel Robinson received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1999. As a dual rated aviator, he has served in a variety of positions at the Squadron, Wing, Major Command, Headquarters Air Force, and Combatant Command levels. He is a senior pilot who has logged over 2,800 hours and has deployed ten times in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel. Prior to assuming his current position, served as the Chief of the Commander’s Action Group, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In this position, he led of total force team military personnel and civilians responsible for coordinating Combatant Commander-directed initiatives, developing the command’s strategic narrative, and providing recommendations on transportation policy and strategy.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
2007 Squadron Officer School, Air University
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
2008 Master of Business Administration, Touro University International
2013 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University
2014 Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, Air University
2015 Air War College, Correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1999 – June 2001, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
2. June 2001 – July 2004, C-130E Instructor Navigator, Assistant Flight Commander, 2d Airlift Squadron; Pope AFB, North Carolina
3. July 2004 – February 2006, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Oklahoma
4. February 2006 – May 2010, C-17A Instructor Pilot, Chief of Exercises and Evaluations, 62d Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Washington
5. May 2010 – May 2011, Chief, North Asian Region, Headquarters Air Force Directorate of Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy
6 July 2012 – July 2013, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Office of the Chief of Staff, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.
7. August 2012 – May 2013 Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
8. June 2013 – May 2014, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
9. June 2014 – April 2015, Chief, Long Range Planning Branch, Air Mobility Command; Scott AFB, Illinois
10. April 2015 – May 2016, Executive Officer to the Vice Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
11. June 2016 – June 2017, Commander, 379 Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
12. June 2017 – March 2018, Deputy Chief, Intermodal Programs Division, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
13. March 2018 – July 2019, Chief, Commander’s Action Group, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
14. July 2019 – Present, Vice Commander, 437th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, South Carolina
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior pilot
Additional Rating: Navigator
Flight hours: Over 2,800
Aircraft Flown: T-43A, C-130E, T-37B, T-1A, C-17A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with four campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1999
First Lieutenant June 2001
Captain June 2003
Major May 2009
Lieutenant Colonel October 2014
Colonel June 2018
(Current as of July 2019)