Lt Col Christopher “Arson” Madson is the Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 415 at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is responsible for leading the detachment’s 5 cadre in support of 45 students.
Lt Col Madson commissioned in 2007 through Officer Training School after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2003. In 2008, he earned his Combat Systems Officer wings from Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, NAS Pensacola, FL. In his previous assignments, Lt Col Madson served as Flight Commander of Standards and Evaluation, 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, SD and as the Chief of Plans and Programs, 479 Flying Training Group, NAS Pensacola, FL. His staff assignments include Branch Chief, Training and Operations and B-1 Functional Area Manager, Air Force Global Strike Command. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Lieutenant Colonel Madson is a senior combat systems officer with over 3,000 flying hours and 1,600 combat hours. His combat experience includes Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2013 Master of Arts in History, American Military University, Charles Town, WV
2014 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2018 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2021 Master of Operational Science, Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1999 - July 2002, Fire Protection Craftsman, 133rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Minneapolis, MN
2. August 2002 - November 2006, Base Fire Chief, 133rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Minneapolis MN
3. November 2006 – March 2007, Officer Candidate, Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL
4. March 2007 - January 2009, student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, NAS Pensacola, FL
5. February 2009 – June 2009, student, Electronic Warfare Training, Randolph AFB, TX
6. July 2009 – February 2010, student, B-1 Initial Qualification Course, Dyess AFB, TX
7. March 2010 – April 2016, Weapons Systems Officer, Instructor Weapons Systems Officer, Evaluator
Weapons Systems Officer, Chief of Mobility, and Flight Commander of Standards and Evaluations, 37th
Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, TX
8. April 2016 – August 2018, Instructor Combat Systems Officer, B-1 Top-off Phase Manager, Chief of
Advanced Training Program, 451st Flying Training Squadron, NAS Pensacola, FL
9. August 2018 – Jul 2019, Evaluator Combat Systems Officer, Chief of Plans and Programs, 479th Flying
Training Group, NAS Pensacola, FL
10. July 2019-June 2020, Branch Chief and MAJCOM B-1 FAM, HQ AFGSC/A3TO, Barksdale AFB, LA
11. Jun 2020-Jun 2021, Student, Army Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, KS
12. Jun 2021-Mar 2022, Division Chief, Bomber Operations, Joint Nuclear Operations Center, Barksdale AFB, LA
13. Mar 2022-Jun 2023, Deputy Commander, Joint Nuclear Operations Center, Barksdale AFB, LA
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Navigator
Flight Hours: More Than 3,000, including 1600 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: B-1B, T-43, T-39, T-1, and T-6
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Field Grade Officer of the Year, JNOC
2018 AETC Team Innovation Award, AETC
2017 Air Force Navigator and Observer’s Association of the Year, 479 FTG
2014 ACC Aircrew Safety Award
2012 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 37 BS
2009 Mike Gilroy EWO Award, 563 FTS
2007 Chappie James Award, OTS
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 15 May 1999
Airman First Class 1 October 2000
Senior Airman 1 April 2001
Staff Sergeant 15 May 2003
Second Lieutenant 9 Mar 2007
First Lieutenant 9 Mar 2009
Captain 9 Mar 2011
Major 1 Jan 2017
Lt Col 1 Nov 2021
(Current as of June 2022)