Col Christopher Francis is the Commander, 118th Wing, Berry Field Air National Base, in Nashville, TN. The mission of the 118th Wing is to provide America with lethal armed overwatch, actionable reach-back intelligence, and support expeditionary Joint Forces globally, across the competition continuum. He is responsible for wartime readiness and mission execution of all airmen and civilians across all combat and support echelons. He is responsible for $250 Million in base property and an annual budget exceeding $85 million to include the training, administration, and employment of over 1200 military personnel and civilians. As the Wing Commander, he is responsible for the only ANG Wing combining 3 independent Groups performing remotely piloted aircraft, Signals Intelligence, and Targeting missions. As Installation Commander, his strategic guidance, capital allocation, and ultimate risk management to subordinate organizations.
The 118th Wing commands the 118th Operations Group which includes the 105th Attack Squadron, the 3rd oldest flying organization in the United States Air Force, currently operating the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft. As a current and qualified, combat mission ready MQ-9 instructor and evaluator pilot, Col Francis maintains qualifications in CAS, SCAR, DT, CSAR, and ISR missions in support of persistent combat operations.
Col Francis was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He entered the United Marine Corps Reserve in February 1998, and the Air National Guard in 2002. Commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in April 2004. Deployments include Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom as C-130H Aircraft Commander, and numerous named operations supported by MQ-9 operations, including Resolute Support, Odyssey Lightning, and Freedom’s Sentinel. He has been assigned to multiple sections throughout the 118th Wing, including Chief of Plans, and 105th Attack Squadron Director of Operations and Squadron Commander. Prior to his current assignment, he was an in-residence student at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a Distinguished Graduate.
Col Francis is a Command Pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the MQ-9 Reaper, C-130E/H/W Hercules, T-1A Jawhawk, T-6A Texan II, Boeing 747-400, Beechcraft King Air 90/100/200.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, Auburn Alabama
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama by Correspondence
2017 Master of Military Operations Art and Science, Maxwell AFB, Alabama by Correspondence
2022 Master of National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island, In Residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1998 – September 1998, Recruit, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina
2. May 1999 – July 1999, Lance Corporal, School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
3. August 1999 – March 2002, Infantry Rifleman, L Co, 4/24, Montgomery, Alabama
4. August 2004 – September 2005, Student Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
5. September 2005 – March 2006, Student C-130 Initial/Mission Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas
6. April 2006 – April 2009, C-130 Aircraft Commander, 105th Airlift Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee
7. May 2009 – July 2012, C-130 Formal Training Unit Instructor Pilot, 105th Airlift Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee
8. July 2012 – June 2013, Aircrew Training and Conversion, 105th Attack Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee
9. July 2013 – October 2013, MQ-9 Initial Qualification Course, Hancock Field, Syracuse, New York
10. November 2013 – October 2017, Chief of Wing Plans, 118th Wing, Nashville, Tennessee
11. November 2017 – November 2018, Director of Operations, 105th Attack Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee
12. December 2018 – June 2021, Commander, 105th Attack Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee
13. Jul 2021 – Jun 2022, Student, College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
14. Jul 2022 – October 2022, Deputy Commander, 118th Operations Group, Nashville, Tennessee
15. November 2022 – September 2025, Commander, 118th Operations Group, Nashville, Tennessee
16. October 2025 – Present, Commander, 118th Wing, Nashville, Tennessee
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,000 hours total time
Aircraft flown: MQ-9, WC-130, C-130E/H/H2, T-1A, T-6A, B747-4, BE90/100/200
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service with six oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two “M” devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
HONORS
2005 Distinguished Graduate Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB
2005 AETC Commander’s Trophy, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB
2013 Distinguished Graduate Joint Firepower Course, Nellis AFB
2017 Honor Graduate, Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB
2022 Distinguished Graduate, College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College, Newport RI
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 23 April 2004
First Lieutenant 23 April 2006
Captain 23 April 2008
Major 18 January 2013
Lieutenant Colonel 23 February 2018
Colonel 27 July 2023
(Current as of August 2024)