Col. Kevin Crofton is the Commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Colonel Crofton leads a wing of more than 5,000 dedicated military and civilian personnel - including members at nine geographically separated units in six different countries - who maintain, deploy, and employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and $6 billion of United States Protection Level-1 assets in support of NATO and U.S. missions as directed by National Command Authorities. The wing supports the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems providing expeditionary air power for suppression of enemy air defenses, counter air, air interdiction, and close-air support.
Colonel Crofton received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001. He has held a variety of flying positions to include F-16 fighter squadron commander, F-16 instructor pilot, flight examiner, and weapons officer, and F/A-18 instructor at the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He has flown combat missions in support of operations in Iraq and Syria.
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Crofton was the Commander, 31st Operations Group and 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2019 Master of National Security and Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, D.C.
2021 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2002 - September 2002, Student Pilot, 3rd Flying Training Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
2. September 2002 - April 2003, Student Pilot, 50th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
3. April 2003 - April 2004, Student Pilot, 182nd Fighter Squadron, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
4. May 2004 - October 2006, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Activity Security Monitor, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
5. November 2006 - June 2008, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea
6. July 2008 - December 2008 – Student, F-16 Division, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
7. January 2009 - February 2011, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Weapons Officer, 77th Fighter Squadron and 20th Operational Support Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
8. February 2011 - September 2011, F/-18 Transition Pilot, Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Naval Air Station Ocean, Va.
9. September 2011 - May 2014, F/A-18 and F-16 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, TOPGUN, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev.
10. May 2014 - June 2015, Chief, Senior Leader Management, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
11. June 2015 - August 2018, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Director of Operations, Commander, Chief of Safety, 55th Fighter Squadron and 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
12. August 2018 - June 2019, Student, Eisenhower School, Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
13. June 2019 - May 2020, Deputy Chief, Joint Operations Division Southern Hemisphere, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
14. May 2020 - June 2021, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
15. July 2021 - June 2023, Commander, 31st Operations Group and 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy
16. June 2023 - Present, Commander, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2019 - May 2020, Deputy Chief, Joint Operations Division Southern Hemisphere, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. as a lieutenant colonel
2. May 2020 - June 2021, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. as a lieutenant colonel and colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,100
Combat Hours: 515
Aircraft flown: F-16, F/A-18, and HH-60
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
(Current as of May 2023)