CMSgt Christopher G. Staton serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 618th Air Operations Center at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He advises the commander on matters affecting the morale, welfare, quality of life, and professional development of over 800 Airmen. As the hub for global operations within Air Mobility Command, the 618th AOC is responsible for planning, scheduling, and directing a fleet of approximately 1,300 aircraft that support strategic airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, cargo transport, and personnel movement worldwide.
Chief Staton enlisted in the Air Force in August 2005 and has since gained extensive experience across a broad spectrum of Air Force missions. He has held key roles in aircraft maintenance as a fuel systems technician and in operations as a KC-135 In-Flight Refueler. With over 1,700 flight hours, Chief Staton has advanced to instructor and evaluator positions on the KC-135R/T. Of these flight hours, more than 600 were accumulated during multiple combat deployments to the Middle East and Eastern Europe in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE.
In his previous role, Chief Staton served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Air Mobility Command Standardization, Evaluations, and Readiness Division.
EDUCATION
2009 Airman Leadership School, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
2009 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Associate of Applied Science, Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2017 Bachelor of Business Administration, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Ala.
2020 Career Enlisted Aviator Senior Leader Course, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2021 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2025 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell-Genter AFB, Ala
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2005 – September 2005, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 2005 – December 2005, Student, Aircraft Fuel Systems Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. December 2005 – May 2008, F-15E Fuel Systems Technician, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
4. May 2008 – May 2009, F-16 Fuel Systems Technician, 8th Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
5. May 2009 – June -2010, F-15E Fuel Systems Technician, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
6. June 2010 – December 2013, KC-135 Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician, 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
7. December 2013 – April 2015, KC-135 Mission Boom Operator, 344th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan.
8. April 2015 – October 2017, Operations Superintendent, 344th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kan. (Deployed Jan 2017 – July 2017, NCOIC, Stan/Eval, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
9. October 2017 – January 2018, NCOIC, Standards and Evaluation, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
10. January 2018 – February 2019, Superintendent, Training, 92nd Operations Group, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
11. February 2019 – August 2020, Operations Superintendent, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash. (Deployed December 2019 – July 2020, Superintendent, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey)
12. August 2020 – November 2020, Superintendent, 97th Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
13. November 2021 – February 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 351st Air Refueling Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
14. February 2024 – October 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, HQ AMC Standardization and Evaluations Division, Scott AFB, Ill.
15. October 2025 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 618 Air Operations Center (TACC), Scott AFB, Ill.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Enlisted Aircrew Member
Flight hours: More than 1,700 hours
Aircraft flown: KC-135R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 Boom Operator Initial Qualification Course Distinguished Graduate
2014 22nd Operations Group Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2015 344th Air Refueling Squadron Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2016 344th Air Refueling Squadron Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2018 92nd Operations Group Instructor Boom Operator of the Year
2018 AMC Aircrew Instructor of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class August 2, 2005
Senior Airman December 2, 2007
Staff Sergeant March 1, 2010
Technical Sergeant April 1, 2015
Master Sergeant June 1, 2018
Senior Master Sergeant March 1, 2021
Chief Master Sergeant August 1, 2024
(Current as of September 2025)