Brig. Gen. Kevin M. Crofton is the Deputy Director, Global Space Operations (J-3), Headquarters United States Space Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. In this role, he is responsible for executing full-spectrum joint space operations with assigned and allocated space forces.
Brig. Gen. Crofton received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001. His career includes a range of assignments as a F-16 instructor pilot, flight examiner, weapons officer and F/A-18 instructor at the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Brig. Gen. Crofton has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. He has deployed and flown combat missions in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
Prior to his current position, he was the Commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2009 Master of Arts, Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 National Security and Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C.
2021 UNC Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2024 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2002–September 2002, Student Pilot, 3rd Flying Training Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
2. September 2002–April 2003, Student Pilot, 50th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. April 2003–April 2004, Student Pilot, 182d Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas
4. May 2004–October 2006, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Activity Security Monitor, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
5. November 2006–June 2008, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea
6. July 2008–December 2008, Student, F-16 Division, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2009–February 2011, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Weapons Officer, 77th Fighter Squadron and 20th Operational Support Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
8. February 2011–September 2011, F/A-18 Transition Pilot, Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
9. September 2011–May 2014, F/A-18 and F-16 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, TOPGUN, NAS Fallon, Nev.
10. May 2014–June 2015, Chief, Senior Leader Management, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
11. June 2015–January 2016, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Director of Operations, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. January 2016–January 2018, Commander, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
13. January 2018–August 2018, Chief of Safety, 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C.
14. August 2018–June 2019, Student, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
15. June 2019–May 2020, Deputy Chief, Joint Operations Division Southern Hemisphere, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington D.C.
16. May 2020–June 2021, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington D.C.
17. July 2021–June 2023, Commander, 31st Operations Group and 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, Aviano AB, Italy
18. June 2023–June 2025, Commander, 52d Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
19. July 2025–present, Deputy Director, Global Space Operations (J-3), Headquarters United States Space Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2019–May 2020, Deputy Chief, Joint Operations Division Southern Hemisphere, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant colonel
2. May 2020–June 2021, Senior Military Evaluator, Air Warfare, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant colonel and colonel
3. July 2025–present, Deputy Director, Global Space Operations (J-3), Headquarters United States Space Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., as a colonel and brigadier general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,100 including more than 500 combat hours
Aircraft flown: F-16, F/A-18 and HH-60
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major May 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel February 1, 2015
Colonel February 1, 2021
Brigadier General Frocked
(Current as of November 2025)