Col. Christopher E. Sedlacek is the commander of the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of more than 1,300 Air Force Reservists. The wing is equipped with eight C-130 Hercules aircraft used globally on medium-range airlift, tactical airland and airdrop, Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System and aeromedical evacuation missions.
Col. Sedlacek was commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997 and attended joint undergraduate navigator training. While on active duty, he served in Europe and later as a formal school instructor in the C-130. He separated from active duty in 2004 and joined the Air Force Reserve. Col. Sedlacek has held numerous key positions in the reserve including squadron commander, group commander and major command staff officer.
During his time in the U.S. Air Force, he has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom five times, including a command tour. Col. Sedlacek is a command navigator with more than 3,500 flying hours and has amassed more than 370 hours of combat flight time. He currently serves as a dual-status Air Reserve Technician. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Sedlacek served as the Special Assistant to the Commander of the 934th Airlift Wing at Minneapolis Air Reserve Station, Minnesota.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science in legal studies, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Masters of Business Administration, Webster University, St Louis, Mo.
2004 Project Management Course, Penn State University, State College, Pa., by correspondence
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Leadership Today and Tomorrow, Professional Development Center, Washington, D.C.
2012 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2013 Theater Security and Decision Making Course, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2013 Operational Support Strategy and War Course, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2014 Safety Board President Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Director of Mobility Forces Course, Detachment 1, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1997-January 1998, Administrative Assistant, Dean of Faculty, U,S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2. January 1998-July 1998, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.
3. July 1998-March 1999, Student, JUNT, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
4. March 1999-September 1999, Student, C-130 Initial Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. September 1999-November 2002, C-130 Instructor Navigator, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
6. November 2002-April 2004, C-130 Formal School Evaluator, 62nd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
7. April 2004-June 2007, Evaluator Navigator, 913th Operations Group, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.
8. June 2007-April 2011, Chief of Training, Evaluator Navigator, 440th Operations Group, Pope AFB, N.C.
9. April 2011-September 2012, Chief of Tactical Airlift Operations, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
10. September 2012-May 2016, Director of Operations, 96th Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis ARS, Minn. (November 2014-January 2015, Commander, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
11. May 2016-September 2021, Commander, 934th Operations Group, Minneapolis ARS, Minn.
12. September 2021-August 2022, Special Assistant to the Commander, 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis ARS, Minn.
13. August 2022-present, Commander, 302d Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Navigator
Flight hours: More than 3,500
Aircraft flown: T-34, T-43, T-1, C-130E/H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
(Current as of August 2022)