Major Kranich is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and the Recruiting and Education Officer for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Course (AFROTC) Detachment 415 located at the University of Minnesota. She is responsible for acting as the primary instructor for Professional Military Training (PMT) and ensures objectives are met in-accordance with Air Force Reserve Officer Training (AFROTC) instruction. She approves annual operational plans and ensures the quality training and safety of over 50 cadets.
Maj Kranich entered the Air Force in May 2009 through the United States Air Force Academy. She completed her degree in Meteorology from Naval Postgraduate School in April 2010 and graduated from the Weather Officer Course in Keesler AFB MS in August 2010. She served at the 21st Operational Weather Squadron at Sembach/Kapaun AB, Germany before continuing on to earn her master’s degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Applied Physics in March 2015 emphasizing Solar/Space Weather forecasting. She followed her master’s program with a tour with the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, Colorado. Prior to her current position, she expanded her expertise by becoming weather flight commander with the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB, Italy.
Maj Kranich has served on one deployment where she was Director of Operations for the 13th Expeditionary Combat Weather Squadron, Camp Kościuszko, Poland providing weather support to US Army’s V Corps and NATO allies at 16 locations across Eastern Europe in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
2009 Bachelor of Science, Physics, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
2010 Bachelor of Science, Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California
2010 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2015 Master of Science, Applied Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2021 Air Command and Staff College (in-correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2022 Leadership Development Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2009 – November 2010, Student, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, Cali.
2. November 2010 – May 2013, Weather Officer, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach/Kapaun Air Base,
Germany
3. May 2013 – April 2015, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
4. April 2015 – June 2018, Weather Flight Commander, 21st Operations Support Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
5. June 2018 – May 2021 – Weather Flight Commander, 31 Operations Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
6. May 2021 – Present, Chief, Weather Specialty Team, 608 AOC, Barksdale AFB, Louis. (October 2023 –April 2024,
Director of Operations, 13th Expeditionary Combat Weather Squadron, Camp Kościuszko, Poland)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 Weather Organization Below Squadron Level of the Year USSPACECOM
2018 Weather FGO of the Year USAFE
2021 Weather FGO of the Year AFGSC
2023 Weather FGO of the Year AFGSC
2024 Weather Organization Below Squadron Level of the Year AFGSC
2024 Army Weather Support FGO of the Year AFGSC
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 2009
First Lieutenant May 27, 2011
Captain May 27, 2013
Major February 1, 2019
(Current as of November 2024
