Col David J. Christensen is the Commander, 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon. The 142nd Wing comprises three major weapons systems to meet taskings in support of Combatant Commanders worldwide – the F-15C and F-15EX Mission Design Series aircraft, the 125th Special Tactics Squadron, and the 116th Air Control Squadron. Additionally, the 142nd Wing provides robust domestic operations response capability, including 24/7 Aerospace Control Alert, Explosive Ordinance Disposal and a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF), a Fatality Search and Recover Team (FSRT), and a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCAT).
Colonel Christensen received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999. He attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and received his initial F-15 training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida in 2002. His next assignment was to the 33d Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He returned to Tyndall Air Force Base as an Instructor Pilot in 2005, until moving back to Eglin Air Force Base in the 53d Wing as an Operational Test and Evaluation Pilot.
In 2009, Colonel Christensen left Active Duty and joined the Oregon Air National Guard as Instructor Pilot with the then 142nd Fighter Wing. He has served as the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander, Maintenance Squadron Commander, Deputy Operations Group Commander, Chief of Wing Safety, Fighter Squadron Operations Officer, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Flight Commander, Chief of Scheduling, Assistant Director of Operations, and Chief of Wing Weapons. Prior to his current position, the Colonel was the Commander, 142nd Maintenance Group.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 F-15C FTU Instructor Qualification Course, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2006 Fighter Electronic Combat Officer Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2017 Commanders Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2018 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Bridge Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Tex.
2022 Commanders Leadership Course, Washington, D.C.
2022 Safety Board President Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. July 1995 – June 1999: Cadet, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2. June 1999 – December 1999: Instructor Pilot, 94th Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
3. December 1999 – September 2001: Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
4. September 2001 – May 2002: Student, F-15 Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Florida.
5. May 2002 – April 2005: Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training and Assistant Chief of Weapons, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
6. April 2005 – February 2008: Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 325th Operations Support Squadron and 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
7. February 2008 – October 2009: Operational Test Instructor Pilot, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation and Assistant Director of Operations, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. October 2009 – present: Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Chief of Wing Weapons, Chief of Scheduling, Assistant Director of Operations, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Director of Operations, Chief of Wing Safety, Chief of Group Standardization and Evaluation, Deputy Operations Group Commander, Commander 142nd Maintenance Squadron, Commander 142nd Maintenance Squadron, Commander 142nd Maintenance Group, Commander 142nd Wing, Portland, Ore.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 3,000
Aircraft Flown: F-15 A/B/C/D/J, B-1, T-38, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Distinguished Graduate, Undergraduate Pilot Training
Top Gun, F-15 Pilot Training
2004 Hughes Trophy, 60th Fighter Squadron
2006 Flight Commander of the Year, 95th Fighter Squadron
Civilian Air Transport Pilot rated in Boeing 737
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION [MILITARY ONLY]
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1999
First Lieutenant June 2, 2001
Captain June 2, 2003
Major December 1, 2008
Lt Col November 7, 2013
Colonel May 26, 2022
(Current as of January 2025)