Chris Portele

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  Aug 1998 - Nov 2023

  Commanded and equipped a highly diverse special operations group of 1,600 Airmen executing full-spectrum special operations missions. Led a 10-squadron group: 6 tactical flying units, 1 intelligence, 1 weather, and 1 special operation support squadron. Directed contingency and exercise operations, joint training, local flying program, and mission rehearsal development. Operationally employed 65 fixed-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft providing global strike, ISR, and mobility airpower for special operations. Commanded a U-28 three-person crew charged with providing aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to enable special operations team survivability. Show less Commanded school of 98 military, civilian, contractor staff, and faculty personnel. Directed 18 formal courses, and over 100 mobile education events with a $3.1 million budget. Maintained a core of expertise in irregular warfare, anti-terrorism, force protection, language training, and regional and cultural studies. Air Force Special Operations education council representative to the Air Force and Special Operations Command language and culture executive steering groups. Commanded a C-145 crew of three that performed a short takeoff and landing multipurpose mission for austere operations in the support of small combat teams. Show less Managed wing commander's flying safety, bird hazard, and mid-air collision programs for nine aircraft types. Chief wing agent for leading the 27th Special Operations Wing toward achieving occupational safety and health association compliance. Led safety programs for flight, weapons handling, traffic, base support functions, and sports and recreation. Coordinated safety program support to four groups, 41 squadrons, and a total base populace of over 5,000. Commanded an AC-130W crew of seven that provided close air support by providing precision weapons effects in support of special operations team protection. Show less Managed test requirements and 23 personnel in the development of squadrontactics and procedures for Air Force Special Operations Command's neweststrike aircraft. Directed operations of the largest MC-130 squadron and wasresponsible for the safe operation of 11 MC-130W aircraft valued at $660million. Conducted operational and tactical-level coordination of US andforeign special operations teams to execute US Special Operations Commandmissions worldwide. Commanded a $60 million MC-130W aircraft and crewand evaluates mission readiness and qualification status of 28 pilots. Show less Commanded a 55-person unit ensuring combat mission readiness, overseesprofessional development, and timely completion of ground and flight trainingwhile managing contingency deployments, temporary duties, and vacationtime for assigned members. Led a 10-person flight responsible for thestandardization and evaluation of 170 squadron flight operations personnel,encompassing six crew positions. Advised the commander on aircrew flyingproficiency and combat readiness. Recommended and initiated actions toimprove every facet of aircraft operations through the unit, group, and wingcommanders. Instructed and evaluated unit mission proficiency on low-level,helicopter air refueling, pararescue specialist and equipment airdrops, specialoperations team insertions, medical evacuation, and hot gas operations.Commanded a ten-member crew and $30 million aircraft during worldwidecombat rescue missions. Show less Assisted in the operation and management of a dynamic officer procurementprocess totaling approximately 450 Air Force Reserve Officer Training cadets.Provided administrative and operational support to the unit commander andrepresented the Air Force at a university whose enrollment exceeds 44,000students. Led a four-person team that developed a new introductory flighttraining program charged with giving US Air Force pilot training candidatesexposure to flight operations before starting the rigor of flight training. Show less

  • National Defense University SOF Chair, National War College Assistant Professor

    May 2021 - Nov 2023

  • Deputy Commander, 1st Special Operations Group; U-28 Pilot

    May 2019 - May 2021

  • Air University, Master's Student, Air War College

    Jan 2018 - May 2019

  • Commander, United States Air Force Special Operations School; C-145 Pilot

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2018

  • Chief of Wing Safety, 27 Special Operations Wing; AC-130 Pilot

    Jun 2013 - Jan 2015

  • US Special Operations Command, Staff Officer and Resource Analyst

    Jun 2011 - Jun 2013

  • Air University, Master's Student, Air Command and Staff College

    Jan 2010 - Jun 2011

  • 73rd Special Operations Squadron, Assist. Director of Operations, MC-130W Instructor/Evaluator Pilot

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  • 71st Rescue Squadron, Flight Commander/Chief Standardization/Evaluations, Instructor/Evaluator Pilot

    Jun 2000 - Jan 2007

  • Student Pilot, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Specialized C-130 Training

    Feb 1999 - Jun 2000

  • Texas A&M ROTC Detachment 805, Special Assistant to the Commander

    Aug 1998 - Feb 1999
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  United Airlines

  Oct 2023 - now

  Commercial Pilot