Colonel Chris Dunston

Colonel Chris Dunston is the Commander, 49th Maintenance Group, Holloman AFB, NM. His group is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping over 2,100 military, civilians, and contractor personnel from 23 specialties supporting 82 F-16s, 24 MQ-9s, and 12 cockpits valued at $2.4B in addition to T-38/QF-16 operations. The group supports F-16/MQ-9 pilot/sensor operator training producing over 700 combat ready aircrew annually in the Air Force's largest formal training unit while providing Combatant Commanders a presence of MQ-9 maintenance personnel conducting combat operations. Col Dunston started his career as an enlisted maintainer in C-141 and C-17 aircraft squadrons. He gained his commission through the Air Force Officer Training School after earning his Bachelor of Science degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, FL. Most recently Col Dunston served as Director of Special Operations Logistics Activities for Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field FL. He has also served as an Air Base Group Commander in Southwest Asia and as a squadron commander in special operations, rescue and fighter generation wings for units providing professional maintenance to HH-60, MH-53, C-130, A-10, F-15 and F-16 aircraft. Col Dunston has completed staff and development tours as a wing executive officer, logistics career broadening officer and as the team chief for aircraft and munitions officer assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas.