Col. Kevin Crofton is the Commander, 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 five 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, 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 AB, Italy.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, United States 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, Washington D.C.
2021 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2024 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2002 - September 2002, Student Pilot, 3rd Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
2. September 2002 - April 2003, Student Pilot, 50th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. April 2003 - April 2004, Student Pilot, 182nd Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
4. May 2004 - October 2006, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Activity Security Monitor, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
5. November 2006 - June 2008, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
6. July 2008 - December 2008 – Student, F-16 Division, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2009 - February 2011, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Weapons Officer, 77th Fighter Squadron and 20th Operational Support Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
8. February 2011 – September 2011, F/A-18 Transition Pilot, Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Naval Air Station (NAS) Ocean, Va.
9. September 2011 – May 2014, F/A-18 and F-16 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, TOPGUN, NAS Fallon, Nev.
10. May 2014 – June 2015, Chief, Senior Leader Management, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
11. June 2015 – January 2016, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Director of Operations, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. January 2016 – January 2018, Commander, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
13. January 2018 – August 2018, Chief of Safety, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C.
14. August 2018 – June 2019, Student, Eisenhower School, Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington D.C.
15. June 2019 – May 2020, Deputy Chief, Joint Operations Division Southern Hemisphere, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington D.C.
16. May 2020 – June 2021, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington D.C.
17. July 2021 – June 2023, Commander, 31st Operations Group and 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, Aviano AB, Italy
18. June 2023 – Present, Commander, 52d Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, 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 and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
(Current as of September 2024)