Christopher J. Spinelli
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Narrative

Christopher J. Spinelli was born on 15 February 1974 at Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Spinelli. He grew up in Richardson, TX, where he graduated from L.V. Berkner High School in 1992. Chris received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he entered in June 1992 and graduated in May 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

After his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force, his first assignment was Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Vance AFB, OK. While at Vance, Chris met and (wisely) married his beautiful wife, Amy. Following pilot training, Chris was selected for F-16 replacement training in the 63rd Fighter Squadron “Panthers” at Luke AFB, AZ. In October 1998, he was transferred to Moody AFB, GA, to fly the F-16CG operationally with the 69th Fighter Squadron “Werewolves.” While at Moody AFB, he went on numerous deployments, including to Ahmed Al Jaber, Kuwait, for combat operations over Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. Two years later, in 2000, Chris transferred to Hill AFB, UT, as part of the 421st Fighter Squadron “Black Widows” (one of the most decorated fighter squadrons in the USAF). During this assignment, he upgraded to Instructor Pilot in the F-16CG and served as a Flight Commander for the last year of his assignment. In 2003, Chris was deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, for Operation Iraqi Freedom where he again flew combat missions over Iraq.

In 2004, Captain Spinelli was competitively-selected for the combined Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) / USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) Program. He graduated from TPS as an Experimental Test Pilot in June 2006 and received his Master of Science degree in Computer Science in September 2006, after designing a unique differential GPS program. Following completion at AFIT / TPS, Chris was assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron “Skulls” at Edwards AFB, CA, where he flight-tested the F-16 and was part of the first Air Force Material Command (AFMC) unit ever to deploy in support of Red Flag.

Spinelli, while a major, was handpicked to assume duties as the Executive Officer for the Air Force Flight Test Center Commander, Major General (Ret) David J. Eichhorn [Honoree Record ID 309298] from May 2008 to May 2009. Following the conclusion of that short tour, Major Spinelli received his first Meritorious Service Medal. Later in 2009, he moved to Capital Region where he worked in the Pentagon on the F-22 and F-35 programs as a member of the Secretary of the Air Force, Global Power Programs Directorate. At the conclusion of that assignment, he received a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the Meritorious Service Medal.

In 2010, Maj Spinelli returned to Edwards AFB to serve as the Director of Operations for the 416th Flight Test Squadron, leading daily test operations for the F-16. On 1 December 2010, Chris was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He was part of the second-ever AFMC unit to deploy in support of Red Flag in early 2012 where the Skulls performed a capstone test on the latest F-16 software.

On 15 June 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Spinelli assumed command of the 445th Flight Test Squadron, part of the 412th Operations Group, Air Force Materiel Command, at Edwards AFB. The squadron supports test programs by developing the criteria for flight test missions, executing flight test missions, analyzing data from the test flights and reporting on the results of the following aircraft: F-16, T-38 Talon, C-12 Huron and the KC-135 Stratotanker. The military personnel, government civilians, and contractors assigned to the 445th all work together as a team.

In January 2013, Lt Col Spinelli became the first Commander of the 445th Flight Test Squadron to become dual-qualified in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the KC-135 Stratotanker. He is also one of only two known pilots in the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) to have this specific, unique dual-qualification.

Lt Col Spinelli relinquished command of the 445th Flight Test Squadron in June 2014 (receiving a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a third award of the Meritorious Service Medal) to attend Air War College (AWC) in residence. That is a year-long Senior Developmental Education (SDE) course at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL, that included students from all of the Services and multiple partner nations. On 21 May 2015, Lt Col Spinelli graduated from the Air War College with a Master of Science in Strategic Studies.

In July 2015, Lt Col Spinelli began his new assignment working in the F-35 Integration Office at the Pentagon, Washington, DC. The office is the single point of contact for all Air Force F-35A matters and priorities and is the Air Force’s primary conduit of senior leader information flow to the Joint Program Office. The Director of the small and specialized 12-person staff is Maj Gen Jeffery I. Harrigian [Honoree Record ID 308624], who reports directly to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), Gen Mark A. Welsh III [Honoree Record ID 857]. Lt Col Spinelli served as Chief of the Test Branch and the Integration Office's primary focus was on getting the F-35A (USAF version) to Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which occurred on 2 August 2016. At the conclusion of this assignment, he was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a fourth award of the Meritorious Service Medal.

[Lt Col Spinelli spent approximately one (1) year at the Pentagon, which marked his second 1-year tour at the "Five Sided Puzzle Palace." MHOH is fairly certain that is a record, but it has no proof!]

From the Pentagon, Lt Col Spinelli was assigned to Edwards AFB, CA, working for Maj Gen David A. Harris. [Honoree Record ID 312776], the Air Force Test Center Commander (AFTC/CC), as his Chief of Safety. The AFTC consists of three wings: 96th Test Wing (Eglin AFB, FL); 412th Test Wing (Edwards AFB); and Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC; Arnold AFB, TN). As the Chief of Safety, Col Spinelli relays safety information to Maj Gen Harris and provides oversight and policy guidance to the subordinate wings.

While at the Pentagon, Lt Col Spinelli was selected by the board for promotion to the rank of Colonel and he pinned on that rank in a ceremony at the Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards AFB on 1 March 2017.

On 16 May 2017, Col Spinelli qualified in the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter at Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ.

Col Spinelli assumed Command of the 412th Operations Group (412 OG/CC) on Monday, 26 June 2017 in a Change of Command Ceremony in Hangar 1600 at Edwards AFB. It is a 2-year command tour. The 412th Operations Group is the Air Force’s most diverse Operations Group (OG) consisting of 5 flight test squadrons, 3 combined test forces, 3 detachments, and an operations support squadron. The 412th is home to 17 different types of aircraft including the F-35 Lightning II and the new KC-46 Pegasus. The OG leads the way in developmental flight test and is a central component in the development of war-fighting capabilities for the Air Force. Its mission is to inform the United States Air Force and Department of Defense decision makers by safely and effectively planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests.

Personal Life

Chris, an excellent athlete, enjoys many outdoor activities such as running, cycling and hiking. While attending the Air War College, he was a Team Member of the gold-medalist men’s 4x 400 relay and cycling team at the Jim Thorpe Sports Days 2015 competition held from 22-25 April 2015 at the Army War College at Carlisle, PA. Teams from the Army War College, National War College, the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy and the Air War College competed. The Air War College brought home the Commandants’ Cup for the 4th time in school history - its last win occurring 19 years earlier!

The Spinelli's are very active in their local congregation, the Rosamond Church of Christ. He is also a busy Dad, taking his boys to Trail Life USA events and hockey practice and games. Chris also assists wife Amy by taking his daughter to gymnastic practices and meets.

Education

College

● 1996 - B.S. in Computer Science, United States Air Force Academy; Dean’s List, GPA 3.35 (154/924)
● 2006 - M.S. in Computer Science, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT); Distinguished Graduate, GPA 4.00
● 2015 - M.S. in Strategic Studies, Air War College (AWC); GPA 3.78

Professional Military Education

● 2002 - Squadron Officer School (SOS) – Residence; Distinguished Graduate
● 2007 - Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) – Correspondence
● 2007 - Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) – Residence at AFIT; Distinguished Graduate
● 2015 - Senior Developmental Education (SDE) – Residence at Air War College

Training

● 2000 - Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course
● 2005 - Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management
● 2005 - Ethics Training for Acquisition Technology and Logistics Workforce
● 2006 - Introduction to Acquisition Workforce Test and Evaluation
● 2006 - Intermediate Test and Evaluation Course
● 2006 - Advanced Test and Evaluation Course
● 2007 - Intermediate Systems Acquisition Course
● 2007 - Fundamentals of Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering
● 2007 - Modeling and Simulation in Systems Engineering

Flight Experience

● Command Pilot
● Total: 2300+ hours in over 20 types (1900 hours in F-16 / 170+ Combat hours)

Synopsis of Assignment History with Notes

Sep 96 – Sep 97: Student, Pilot Training (AFSC - RI92T0) Vance AFB, OK

♦ Completed training in both T-37 and T-38 aircraft
♦ 97.4% academic record on 14 tests
♦ Graduated 4th of 25 students and track selected to F-16 (sexiest aircraft ever built!)

Oct 97 – Dec 97: Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) (AFSC - 11F1H) Columbus AFB, MS

♦ Completed 3 month introductory course to employing fighter aircraft as a weapon system

Oct 97 – Aug 98: Student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit (RTU) (AFSC - 11F1H) 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ

♦ Completed 6 month course on employment fundamentals in the F-16, including both air and ground tactics
♦ 97.8% academic record on 9 tests

Oct 98 – Oct 00: F-16 Flight Lead (AFSC - 11F3H) 69th Fighter Squadron, Moody AFB, GA

♦ Deployed to OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW) in 1999 for 100+ days – 100% hit rate with Laser Guided Bombs
♦ Upgraded to 2-ship Flight Lead – Squadron Commander lauded “Best 2-ship upgrade seen to date”
♦ Chief of Training / Safety – 50+ currencie

Oct 00 – Mar 04: F-16 Instructor Pilot / Flight Commander (AFSC- K11F3H) 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, UT

♦ Zero class A/B mishaps in over 6,500 hours as Chief of Safety – Lauded as “Best safety program in the 388th”
♦ DETCO for 2-ship, 20 personnel, deployment to Texas to train Army’s young Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs)
♦ Handpicked to fly in the first 388th Fighter Wing OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE (ONE) missions on 12 Sep 2001
♦ Executed $30+ million FHP, with over 5,000 sorties as Chief of Scheduling
♦ Mission commander for final mission during Red Flag – over 30 aircraft in package
♦ 421st and Hill AFB Company Grade Officer (CGO) of Quarter in 2nd Qtr 2002, #1 of 350 CGOs
♦ Distinguished Graduate (DG) at SOS and Right of Line flight (#1 flight in Squadron) in 2002
♦ Lead 12 OIF combat missions; ran combined fighter OPs desk – enabled 24/7 Close Air Support (CAS) coverage for coalition
♦ Selected as COPE THUNDER project officer – $500,000 and 150 personnel deployment
♦ 388th FW CGO of the year 2002; #1 of 180 CGOs in 388th FW
♦ Overall Top Gun in Nov 2002 Turkey Shoot for 421st FS
♦ 100% hit rate in Commander Air Combat Command-directed weapons system evaluation – “Excellent” rating
♦ 421st FS Flight Commander of the Year 2003
♦ Overall Top Gun in June 2003 Turkey Shoot for 421st FS; led flight to top honors

Mar 04 – May 05: Student, Air Force Institute of Technology / IDE (AFSC - 92S0) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

♦ Distinguished Graduate (DG) from AFIT and Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE)
♦ 4.0 GPA in demanding Master’s-level Computer Science program
♦ Inducted into distinguished Tau Beta Pi (Only National Honor Society Representing the Entire Engineering Profession)
♦ Developed a real-time kinematic differential GPS system which resulted in the first-ever documented six-DOF autonomous flight in close proximity (20 feet) to another aircraft

May 05 – Sep 06: Student, USAF Test Pilot School (AFSC - 11E3Z) USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA

♦ Completed 558 hours of graduate-level academics, 467 hours in-flight training, and 19 group and individual reports
♦ Earned over 90% on 19 of 20 written academic tests, with a 98.7% overall average
♦ Flew over 170 hours of flight test training in over 25 different aircraft
♦ Key project pilot for Test Management Project investigating 802.11b air-to-ground wireless network

Sep 06 – Jun 08: Assistant Director of Operations (ADO) (AFSC - K11E3B) 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA

♦ 416th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) Aircrew of the Quarter – 2nd Quarter 2007
♦ Dropped first-ever supersonic Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) off of an Omani F-16
♦ Project pilot for COCOM urgent need requests program [F-16 S3.0 Sniper Video Down Link (VDL) Team]
- Test report lauded as “best in 20 years”
- 412th Test Wing (TW) Team of the Quarter / 416th FLTS Team of the Quarter
- 412th TW / 416th FLTS Team of the Year 2007
♦ Integral part of SAF-directed F-22 test safety planning – lauded by O-7 Program Executive Officer / O-8 AFFTC Commander
♦ 416th FLTS Aircrew of the Year 2007

Jun 08 – Jun 09: Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) CC’s Executive Officer (AFSC – K11E3B) Edwards AFB, CA

♦ Coordinated 625+ mtgs, 36 TDYs, 40+ VIP visits and two Wing Change of Commands, plus a 2-star General pin-on
♦ Melded testing and combat training in AFMC's first Red Flag participation; ID'd aircraft flaws--drove fielding decisions
♦ Taught F-16 out-of-control academics and was an Instructor Pilot for ten High-Angle of Attack (High Alpha) F-16 flights

Jul 09 – Jul 10: F-22/F-35 Operations Program Element Monitor (PEM) (AFSC – K11E3B) Pentagon, DC

♦ Multiple congressional engagements / prep work for Senior AF leaders—key message delivered to Congress, program funding secured

Jul 10 – Jun 12: Director of Operations (DO) (AFSC - B11E3B) 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA

♦ Led 2nd-ever AFMC Red Flag deployment; 73 Airmen/4x F-16s; Red Flag/Commander: "model deployment"--new F-16 software tested with ops-relevant evaluation
♦ Led SecDef-directed AGCAS tests; F-22/35 risk reduction--projected 136 aircraft/$6.7B saved across 4 DOD platforms
♦ Safety focus; led squadron to 1,687 mishap-free hours/preserved $750M in test assets--AFMC Flight Safety Award 3rd year running
♦ Led Developmental Test operations for US & 13 foreign nations--93% programs completed early
♦ Masterminded disclosure rewrite w/ SAF/IA; kept foreign pilots flying for $7M F-16 test--averted international controversy
♦ Led AF's largest F-16 upgrade test; $15.7M program added SDB & AIM-120D--increased fleet weapon capability 200%!
♦ Responsible for planning & execution of over 50 F-16 ground & flight test programs with annual budget exceeding $101M
♦ Led ops team of 39 military enlisted/officers, DOD civilians and support contractors conducting developmental flight tests
♦ Directed 35 aircrew flying over 1,600 hours for a $32lVI/yr flight test program utilizing 16 highly-modified fighter aircraft
♦ Executed flight operations for 650+ test & support sorties; plans, coordinates with over 350 engineers & maintainers

Jul 12 – Jun 14: Commander (CC) (AFSC - C11E3B) 445th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA

♦ Directed AF's largest test support fleet; operated 43 highly modifiedC-12, F-16, KC-135 & T-38 aircraft worth $850M+
♦ Oversaw scheduling of 2K+ test support/training missions & 110 aircrew in 12 units; orchestrated $9.5M flying hour program
♦ Prepared squadron for decommission, yet fully executed mission--poised Wing to absorb 9 aircraft & 265 billet cuts
♦ Negotiated dedicated AMC tanker for F-15SA; doubled test efficiency--key to $29B program, DoD's largest FMS ever
♦ Evaluated T-38 Block 9; 26 upgrades, new voice warn system tested--1st fighter/trainer FAA cleared for GPS/Nav approach
♦ Vital USN test partner; P-8 high risk test safely flown, X-47 air data system calibrated--1st UCAV ready for carrier ops
♦ Led AF C-12 Flight Training Unit; revised 1,600 pages of Technical Orders; 37 students qualified, 12 embassies supported-- standardized Joint C-12 ops

Jul 14 – Jun 15: Student, Air War College (AFSC - 92S0) Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL

♦ Authored a 5000-word Professional Studies Paper titled, "The Rise of Robots: The Military's Use of Autonomous Lethal Force;"declared an exceptional analysis of a timely and complex subject; earned an "A" grade!
♦ AWC ambassador--key Mediterranean Regional & Cultural Studies course team member; flawless engagement during visit to Turkey and Egypt; represented the United States, the AF and the AWC with marked distinction
♦ Team member of gold-medalist men’s 4x 400 relay and cycling team at Jim Thorpe competition—AWC brought home trophy for fourth time in school history, previously won 19 years prior!

Jul 15 – Jul 16: Chief, Test Branch Air Force F-35 Integration Office (AFSC - 11E3) Pentagon, DC

♦ Advised SECAF/CSAF on $379B F-35 program; enabled timely, strategic decisions to posture Combat AF force structure
♦ Engaged HAF, MAJCOM, OSD, JPO and 8 partner nations to advance F-35 system capabilities and AF priorities
♦ Coordinated POM inputs & acquisition/training/basing decisions to ensure AF readiness and Joint operational capes
♦ Championed operational test requirements; solved 4-yr impasse on network connectivity--$33K/624 hr manpower reduction/yr
♦ Crafted CSAF decision brief; advocated for 2 additional test jets--reduced schedule risk & enabled future F-35 development!

Aug 16 – Jun 17: Air Force Test Center Chief of Safety (AFSC - 11E3) Edwards AFB, CA

♦ Led joint test/ground/flight/weapons/contract safety programs for 3 wings, NASA, Navy and AFRL--$31B+ in assets
♦ Directed mishap prevention for 120+ units conducting DoD's most crucial tests--116 aircraft/29 MDS’s with $2B/yr budget
♦ Assessed/mitigated risk for 350+ high priority DoD and allied air, space and cyberspace developmental test programs
♦ Led office of 5 during manning crisis; only 2 of 5 positions filled for months--Center/HQ's IG inspections: both EFFECTIVE
♦ Led charge on languishing safety board recommendations; closed 24+ open recs--drove critical safety fixes to field, mitigated future mishaps
♦ Edited complex KC-46 safety responsibilities memo; coordinated with MAJCOM and two Centers--ensured AF equities/oversight

Jun 17 – Present: Commander (CC) (AFSC – P10C0W) 412th Operations Group, Edwards AFB, CA

[Most of the notes on these assignments are from the Job Description and Rater Overall Assessments areas of Spinelli's Officer Performance Reports prepared by his superior officers - many of which are General Officers.]

Medals, Ribbons & Badges

Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
AF Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
AF Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
AF Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Longevity Service Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Service Star
AF Training Ribbon
Command Pilot Badge
Parachutist Badge
Headquarters Air Force Badge

Awards & Honors

69th Fighter Squadron Wingman of the Quarter, Moody AFB, GA – 2000
421st Fighter Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, Hill AFB, UT – 2002
Hill Air Force Base Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, Hill AFB, UT – 2002
388th Fighter Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year, Hill AFB, UT – 2002
Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School – 2002
Overall Top Gun in Turkey Shoot for 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, UT – 2002
Overall Top Gun in Turkey Shoot for 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, UT – 2003
421st Fighter Squadron Flight Commander of the Year, Hill AFB, UT – 2003
Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Institute of Technology Masters of Science, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH - 2006
Distinguished Graduate, Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH – 2006
Air Force Institute of Technology Navigation Research Excellence Award sponsored by the Dayton Section of the Institute of Navigation (ION) – 2006
416th Flight Test Squadron Aircrew of the Quarter, Edwards AFB, CA – 2007
412th Test Wing Team of the Year (Sniper Video Datalink [VDL]), Edwards AFB, CA – 2007
416th Flight Test Squadron Aircrew of the Year, Edwards AFB, CA – 2007

Dates of Rank

Second Lieutenant: 29 May 1996
First Lieutenant: 29 May 1998
Captain: 29 May 2000
Major: 1 April 2006
Lieutenant Colonel: 1 December 2010
Colonel: 1 March 2017

All information current as of 27 June 2017