Colonel Christopher K. Croson is the 130th Mission Support Group Commander at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. He is responsible for managing five squadrons comprised of over 400 Airmen supporting mission execution, integrated installation defense, and mission support synchronization. He also facilitates support with interagency partners and other DoD agencies.
Colonel Croson entered service as an enlisted Airman on June 12, 1999, as a supply specialist. He was commissioned in June 2003 through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. Following commissioning, he was assigned to the 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron as a Logistics Officer where he worked in Material Management, Fuels operations, Logistics Plans, and Aerial Port operations. During this time, he deployed as the Operations Officer for the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron providing full-spectrum logistical support during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After 16 years in LRS, Colonel Croson served as the 167th MXS Commander and eventually the MXG Deputy Commander. Colonel Croson deployed in 2025 as the 380th Air Base Group Commander during Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science degree, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
2009 Air Force Squadron Officer School by correspondence
2015 Air Command & Staff College by correspondence
2021 Master of Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 1999-May 2003 Supply Specialist, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- June 2003-December 2005, Material Management Officer, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- January 2006-March 2008, Logistics Plans Officer, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- April 2008-April 2011, Material Management Officer, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV (April 2009-November 2009, Operations Officer, 356th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Manas, Kyrgyzstan)
- February 2011-September 2013, Deployment & Distribution Flight Officer, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- October 2013-July 2016, Operations Officer, 167th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- August 2016-April 2020, Commander, 167th Maintenance Squadron, Martinsburg, WV
- May 2020-May 2022, Deputy Commander, 167th Maintenance Group, Martinsburg, WV
- June 2022-March 2025, Director of Manpower & Personnel, Headquarters WVANG, Charleston, WV
- March 2025-October 2025, Commander, 380th Air Base Group, Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE
- November 2025-present, Commander, 130th Mission Support Group, Charleston, WV
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
West Virginia Commendation Medal
West Virginia Achievement Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Fist Class June 12, 1999
Senior Airman June 20, 2000
Second Lieutenant June 27, 2003
First Lieutenant June 27, 2005
Captain June 27, 2007
Major July 8, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel December 13, 2016
Colonel November 30, 2022