Colonel CHRIS DUNSTON

Colonel Chris Dunston is the Commander, 49th Maintenance Group, Holloman AFB, NM. His group is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping over 2,100 military, civilians, and contractor personnel from 23 specialties supporting 82 F-16s, 24 MQ-9s, and 12 cockpits valued at $2.4B in addition to T-38/QF-16 operations. The group supports F-16/MQ-9 pilot/sensor operator training producing over 700 combat ready aircrew annually in the Air Force's largest formal training unit while providing Combatant Commanders a presence of MQ-9 maintenance personnel conducting combat operations. Col Dunston started his career as an enlisted maintainer in C-141 and C-17 aircraft squadrons. He gained his commission through the Air Force Officer Training School after earning his Bachelor of Science degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, FL. Most recently Col Dunston served as Director of Special Operations Logistics Activities for Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field FL. He has also served as an Air Base Group Commander in Southwest Asia and as a squadron commander in special operations, rescue and fighter generation wings for units providing
professional maintenance to HH-60, MH-53, C-130, A-10, F-15 and F-16 aircraft. Col Dunston has completed staff and development tours as a wing executive officer, logistics career broadening officer and as the team chief for aircraft and munitions officer assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas.

EDUCATION
2002 Bachelors of Science Degree, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL
2002 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2003 Aircraft Maintenance & Munitions Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2006 Master of Business & Leadership, Trident University, CA
2008 Squadron Officer School (residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2015 Master of National Security Studies, NCSC (residence), Newport, RI
2022 Master of Strategic Studies, AWC (residence), Maxwell AFB, AL


ASSIGNMENTS
Sep 02 – Aug 05: OIC, 352 Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, UK
Sep 05 – May 08: OIC, 57 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
Jun 08 – Jun 09:  Wing Executive Officer, 57 Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
Jul 09 – May 11: Logistics Career Broadening Officer, ALC, Hill AFB, UT
Jun 11 – Jun 12: Maintenance Operations Officer, 51 MXS, Osan AB, ROK
Jul 12 – Jun 14: Chief, Maintenance Officer Assignments, Randolph AFB, TX
Jul 14 – Jun 15: Student, Navy Command and Staff College, Newport, RI
Jul 15 – Jun 16: Commander, 8 AMXS, Kunsan AB, ROK
Jun 16 – Jun 18: Commander, 723 AMXS, Moody AFB, GA
Jun 18 – Jul 20: Commander, 1 SOAMXS, Hurlburt Field, FL
Jul 20 – Jul 21:  Deputy Commander, 1 SOMXG, Hurlburt Field, FL
Jul 21 – Jul 22: Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
Jul 22 – May 23: Chief, AFSOC Weapons Systems Branch, Hurlburt Field, FL
Jun 23 – Oct 23: Commander, 332 Expeditionary Air Base Group, Southwest Asia 
Nov 23 – Jul 24: Director, Special Operations Logistics Activities, Hurlburt Field, FL

Jul 24 – Present: Commander, 49th Maintenance Group, Holloman AFB, NM

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant: Sep 2002

First Lieutenant: Sep 2004

Captain: Sep 2006
Major: Oct 2012
Lieutenant Colonel: Jul 2017
Colonel: Nov 2023