Brig. Gen. Christopher M. Zidek is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 18th Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As Air Mobility Command’s sole Numbered Air Force, 18th Air Force ensures readiness and sustainment of approximately 36,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen at 12 wings and two geographically separated units. With more than 400 aircraft, 18th Air Force supports AMC’s worldwide mission of providing rapid global mobility to America’s armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling and aeromedical evacuation.
Brig. Gen. Zidek is a native of San Diego, California, and received his commission in 1996 through the Air Force ROTC program at San Diego State University. He is a master navigator with more than 2,500 flying hours and has served in a variety of flying units in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, including operational, training and flight test operations. He has flown combat missions in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Allied Force and Northern and Southern Watch and held numerous headquarters staff and command positions. He also serves as a Presidential Advance Agent, responsible for planning and executing Air Force One movements, worldwide. Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Zidek served as the Commander of the Force Generation Center, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Georgia.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration, San Diego State University, Calif.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2010 Naval Command and Staff College, Newport, R.I., by correspondence
2012 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2015 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2021 NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, Oberammergau, Germany
2021 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2022 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2023 Leadership Decision Making Course; John F. Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1996–May 1997, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
2. May 1997–January 1998, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph, Texas
3. January 1998–May 1998, Student, KC-135R Combat Crew Training School, 55th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
4. May 1998–April 2002, KC-135R Navigator, Instructor and Evaluator, 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan.
5. April 2002–September 2004, KC-135R Combat Crew Training School/Central Flight Instructor Course Instructor/Evaluator Navigator, 54th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus AFB, Okla.
6. September 2004–January 2010, KC-135 E/R, Functional Check Flight Instructor and Evaluator Navigator, Assistant Operations Officer, Life Support Officer, Chief of Safety, Chief of Current Operations, 313th Flight Test Flight, JBSA Lackland, Texas
7. January 2010–March 2012, Chief of Safety, 413th Flight Test Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
8. March 2012–December 2013, Commander, 313th Flight Test Flight, JBSA Lackland, Texas
9. December 2013–July 2014, Mobility Air Force Programmer, HQ/AFRC A8, Robins AFB, Ga.
10. July 2014–May 2015, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. May 2015–June 2016, Chief, Total Force Integration, SecAF/CSAF Executive Action Group, Arlington, Va.
12. June 2016–October 2016, Director of Staff, Assistants to the Chairman, JCS for National Guard and Reserve Matters, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Va.
13. October 2016–June 2018, Deputy Division Chief, Transregional Threats Coordination Cell, J5, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Va.
14. June 2018–July 2020, Commander, 413th Flight Test Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
15. July 2020–August 2022, Commander, 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
16. August 2022–August 2023, Commander, Force Generation Center, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
17. August 2023–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 18th Air Force, Scott AFB, Ill.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2016–October 2016, Director of Staff, Assistants to the Chairman, JCS for National
Guard and Reserve Matters, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
2. October 2016–June 2018, Deputy Division Chief, Transregional Threats Coordination Cell, J5, the Joint Staff, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: master navigator
Flight hours: more than 2,500
Aircraft flown: C-130, KC-135 E/R/T, F-15E, B-52, T- 38, C-17A, T-43, T-34C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
(Current as of February 2024)