Colonel CHRISTOPHER M. CONANT

Colonel Christopher “Crank” Conant currently serves as the deputy wing commander, 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, FL. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Conant was the Director of Air Force Global Strike Command’s B-21 Integration Office, tasked with managing B-21 requirements for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Rapid Capability Office, and Air Force Global Strike Command. His career encompasses strategic deterrence operations, joint military schools, and deployments throughout Europe and the Pacific, including command of the last remaining B-2 combat mission ready squadron at Whiteman AFB, MO. His operational experience includes a 33-hour B-2 combat mission and numerous National Command Center directed deterrence and assurance missions in five different Combatant Commands.
 
Colonel Conant was commissioned in 2005 and began his flying career in the B-52. With over 2,600 flight hours, he is a graduate of the United States Air Force B-2 Weapons school and is a Distinguished Graduate of Squadron Officer School, B-52 and B-2 training programs, and National War College.
 
Chris was a nuclear scholar with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Project on Nuclear Issues, as well as an Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, working for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander’s Action Group and State Department’s Intelligence and Research Bureau. Chris and his wife Lizzie both hail from Washington state and try, but fail, to stay ahead of their four active children.

EDUCATION
2023   Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Thesis: A Strategy for Israel Against a Nuclear Iran Master of Arts, Military Operational Studies, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA Thesis: Future War, Clausewitz Fights a Quantum Adversary
2017    Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Joint Warfare Concentration Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (non-resident) Thesis: Re-Building a Global Deterrence Bomber Force through Tailored Regional Specialty
2013    Master of Arts, National Security Studies, American Military University, Charleston, WV (non- resident)
2005    Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Portland, Portland, OR

ASSIGNMENTS
1.    Jan 06 – Feb 07, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, GA and Laughlin AFB, TX.
2.    Apr 07 – May 07, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX.
3.    Jun 07 – Dec 07, Student, F-15C Fighter Training, 143rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field ANG Base, OR.
4.    Jan 08 – Aug 08, Student, B-52 Formal Training, 11th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA.
5.    Sep 08 – Mar 12, B-52 Flight Lead and Executive Officer to the Commander, 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA.
6.    Apr 12 – Jul 13, Student, B-2 Formal Training, 394th Combat Training Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
7.    Jul 13 – Jun 15, B-2 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander, 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
8.    Jun 15 – Dec 15, B-2 Weapons Instructor Course, Whiteman AFB, MO.
9.    Jan 16 – Jul 17, B-2 Evaluator Pilot/Assistant Director of Operations, 394th Combat Training Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
10.    Aug 17 – Jul 18, Air Force Strategic-Policy Fellow, Washington D.C.
11.    Jul 18 – Jul 19, Student, School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, VA.
12.    Jul 19 – Jul 20, Director of Operations, 509 Operational Support Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
13.    Jul 20 – Jun 20, Commander, 393d Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
14.    Jul 22 – Jun 23, Student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
15.    Jun 23 – May 24, Deputy Director B-21 Integration, AFGSC, Joint-Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington D.C.
16.    May 24 – Jun 25, Director B-21 Integration, AFGSC, Joint-Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington D.C.
17.    Jul 25 – present, Deputy Commander 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, FL.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating:    Command Pilot
Flight Hours:    2,609, including 33 combat hours
Aircraft Flown:    T-6, T-38C, F-15D, F-15C, B-52H, T-38A, B-2A

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ Device
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service with Three Oak Leaf Clusters

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, June 2005
First Lieutenant, June 2007
Captain, June 2009
Major, October 2015
Lieutenant Colonel, October 2018
Colonel, July 2024

(Current as of July 2025)
 

53rd Wing Leadership

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Colonel CHRISTOPHER M. CONANT

Colonel Christopher “Crank” Conant currently serves as the deputy wing commander, 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, FL. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Conant was the Director of Air Force Global Strike Command’s B-21 Integration Office, tasked with managing B-21 requirements for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Rapid Capability Office, and Air Force Global Strike Command. His career encompasses strategic deterrence operations, joint military schools, and deployments throughout Europe and the Pacific, including command of the last remaining B-2 combat mission ready squadron at Whiteman AFB, MO. His operational experience includes a 33-hour B-2 combat mission and numerous National Command Center directed deterrence and assurance missions in five different Combatant Commands.
 
Colonel Conant was commissioned in 2005 and began his flying career in the B-52. With over 2,600 flight hours, he is a graduate of the United States Air Force B-2 Weapons school and is a Distinguished Graduate of Squadron Officer School, B-52 and B-2 training programs, and National War College.
 
Chris was a nuclear scholar with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Project on Nuclear Issues, as well as an Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, working for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander’s Action Group and State Department’s Intelligence and Research Bureau. Chris and his wife Lizzie both hail from Washington state and try, but fail, to stay ahead of their four active children.

EDUCATION
2023   Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Thesis: A Strategy for Israel Against a Nuclear Iran Master of Arts, Military Operational Studies, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA Thesis: Future War, Clausewitz Fights a Quantum Adversary
2017    Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Joint Warfare Concentration Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (non-resident) Thesis: Re-Building a Global Deterrence Bomber Force through Tailored Regional Specialty
2013    Master of Arts, National Security Studies, American Military University, Charleston, WV (non- resident)
2005    Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Portland, Portland, OR

ASSIGNMENTS
1.    Jan 06 – Feb 07, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, GA and Laughlin AFB, TX.
2.    Apr 07 – May 07, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX.
3.    Jun 07 – Dec 07, Student, F-15C Fighter Training, 143rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field ANG Base, OR.
4.    Jan 08 – Aug 08, Student, B-52 Formal Training, 11th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA.
5.    Sep 08 – Mar 12, B-52 Flight Lead and Executive Officer to the Commander, 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA.
6.    Apr 12 – Jul 13, Student, B-2 Formal Training, 394th Combat Training Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
7.    Jul 13 – Jun 15, B-2 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander, 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
8.    Jun 15 – Dec 15, B-2 Weapons Instructor Course, Whiteman AFB, MO.
9.    Jan 16 – Jul 17, B-2 Evaluator Pilot/Assistant Director of Operations, 394th Combat Training Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
10.    Aug 17 – Jul 18, Air Force Strategic-Policy Fellow, Washington D.C.
11.    Jul 18 – Jul 19, Student, School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, VA.
12.    Jul 19 – Jul 20, Director of Operations, 509 Operational Support Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
13.    Jul 20 – Jun 20, Commander, 393d Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO.
14.    Jul 22 – Jun 23, Student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
15.    Jun 23 – May 24, Deputy Director B-21 Integration, AFGSC, Joint-Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington D.C.
16.    May 24 – Jun 25, Director B-21 Integration, AFGSC, Joint-Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington D.C.
17.    Jul 25 – present, Deputy Commander 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, FL.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating:    Command Pilot
Flight Hours:    2,609, including 33 combat hours
Aircraft Flown:    T-6, T-38C, F-15D, F-15C, B-52H, T-38A, B-2A

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ Device
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service with Three Oak Leaf Clusters

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, June 2005
First Lieutenant, June 2007
Captain, June 2009
Major, October 2015
Lieutenant Colonel, October 2018
Colonel, July 2024

(Current as of July 2025)