Col. Christopher “Chris” Holland is the Commander, 514th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The “Freedom Wing” is an associate Reserve wing comprised of 24 subordinate units that support airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation missions using the KC-46A Pegasus and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. In this capacity Holland is responsible for training and equipping more than 2,200 personnel, including Air Reserve Technicians and Traditional Reservists.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Colonel Holland received his commission through the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1998. With 25 years of reserve service he is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the KC-46, KC-135 and C-130 aircraft. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Air Force Intern Program and has Office of the Secretary of Defense and Headquarters Air Force staff experience. Prior to his current position, the Colonel was the Commander, 916th Operations Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
At the 916th Holland was responsible for the planning and execution of the KC-46A Pegasus mission as the group completed its conversion as the first unit equipped KC-46 wing in Air Force Reserve Command. Col Holland has also served as an Executive Officer, Assistant Director of Operations and Squadron Commander. He has deployed as Director of Operations, and Wing Director of Staff. He has flown combat sorties in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and numerous missions for Operation NOBLE EAGLE.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Arts, American History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
1998 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Specialized Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2000 KC-135R Combat Crew Training School, Altus AFB, Okla.
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Master of Arts, Organizational Management, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Air Force Intern Program
2009 C-130 Initial & Mission Qualification Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2014 KC-135 Aircraft Commander Requalification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1998–March 1999, Casual Lieutenant Program, Section Commander, 4th Operations Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
2. March 1999–June 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. June 2000–September 2000, KC-135 Combat Crew Training School, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, Okla.
4. September 2000–July 2005, KC-135R/T Instructor Aircraft Commander, Flight Commander, Assistant Flight Commander, Squadron Executive Officer, 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 19th Air Refueling Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
5. July 2005–June 2007, Air Force Intern Program with duties in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and the Concepts, Strategy and Wargaming Division (Skunk Works), Deputy Chief of Staff Air and Space Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
6. June 2007–August 2008, Air Force Requirements Directorate, Branch Chief, Resources and Contracts, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
7. August 2008–September 2011, C-130E/H Aircraft Commander, Director of Staff, Assistant Director of Operations, 50th Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
8. September 2011–March 2012, C-130E/H Instructor Pilot, Chief, Plans and Programs, 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock, AFB, Ark.
9. March 2012-September 2012, Director of Staff, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan
10. September 2012–September 2013, C-120 E/H Instructor Pilot, Operations Officer, 34th Combat Training Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
11. September 2013–October 2016, KC-135R Aircraft Commander, 77th Air Refueling Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
12. October 2016–February 2018, Commander, 77th Air Refueling Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
13. February 2018–July 2023, Commander, 916th Operations Group, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
14. July 2023–Present, Commander, 514th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,000 including more than 900 combat/combat support hours
Aircraft flown: C-130E/H, KC-135R/T, KC-46A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters and valor device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2000 Distinguished Graduate, KC-135R Combat Crew Training School
2003 99th Air Refueling Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year
2003 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School