Colonel Christopher D. Bulson is the Senior Air Force Advisor to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense, Arlington, Va. In this capacity, he provides technical expertise on Department of Defense related topics, as well as partners with state and community leaders, the Military Services, and other Federal agencies to develop strategies for economic growth; support nearby civilian use adjustments; and ensure the balance of growth in order to enhance the readiness, resiliency and sustainability of installations in support of the military mission.
Colonel Bulson was born in Poughkeepsie, NY, is a 2002 graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, and commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program as an Air Force Civil Engineer officer. Throughout his career, he has commanded two squadrons, served in a variety of positions at the wing, major command, and headquarters levels, and has also deployed in support of multiple contingencies, including both the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.
Prior to his current position, Colonel Bulson was the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Requirements Support and Analyses branch chief at the Joint Requirements Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
EDUCATION
- 2002 Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo.
- 2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
- 2006 Master of Science, Engineering Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- 2007 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
- 2021 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2002 - July 2004, Environmental Program Manager, Contract Programmer; 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan (November 2003 - March 2004, Program Engineer, 332d Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq)
- July 2004 - June 2006, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- June 2006 - June 2007, Chief of Engineering, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates
- July 2007 - August 2011, Chief of Contracts and Asset Management Flight Chief, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. (November 2008 - June 2009, Officer in Charge, Civic Action Team, Republic of Palau) (October 2010 - June 2011, Senior Engineer, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, Qalat, Afghanistan)
- August 2011 - June 2012, Environmental Program Manager, Office of the Air Force Civil Engineer, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- June 2012 - June 2014, Deputy Chief, Facilities Engineering Branch, Air Force Space Command Headquarters, Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 2013 - November 2013, Forward Headquarters Command Engineer, Special Operations Command Central, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
- June 2014 - June 2016, Operations Flight Commander, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
- July 2016 - July 2017, Commander, 821st Support Squadron, Thule AB, Greenland
- July 2017 - June 2019, Operations and Maintenance Team Lead and Executive Officer, Office of the Director of Civil Engineers, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- June 2019 - June 2020, Commander, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
- June 2020 - June 2021, Student, National War College, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
- June 2021 - July 2023, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Equipment and Requirements Support and Analyses Branch Chief, Joint Requirements Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
- July 2023 - Present, Senior Air Force Advisor, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Bronze Star Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
- Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
- First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
- Captain May 29, 2006
- Major June 1, 2012
- Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2017
- Colonel August 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2024)