Col Christopher J. Sopko is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Eighteenth Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Eighteenth Air Force ensures readiness and sustainment of approximately 20,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve, and civilian Airmen at eight wings and two direct reporting units. Eighteenth Air Force supports AMC’s worldwide mission of providing rapid global mobility to America’s armed forces through airlift, airdrop, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation and the global air mobility support system.
Col. Sopko is a 2000 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. He received his commission in 2001 as a graduate of the Academy of Military Sciences. After completing Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, he achieved the roles of C-130H Instructor, Flight Examiner and Wing Chief of Safety. When the wing transitioned to the C-27J, he conducted the operational test and evaluation as a member of the program’s initial cadre assuming the position of C-27J Flight Examiner. Col. Sopko transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 2012 and held command positions at the Squadron and Wing levels. He also served in the National Capital Region as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the A5/7 Mobility Functional Integration Team Lead. Prior to his current assignment, Col Sopko served as the Deputy Commander, 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania. During this tour, he served as the Commander, 911th Airlift Wing, for eight months while the wing was deployed to CENTCOM as the first reserve-led Expeditionary Air Base.
He is a Command Pilot with over 6,000 military flying hours and has logged over 840 combat hours. He has deployed seven times in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Master of Military Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2024 Director of Mobility Forces Course, USAF Expeditionary Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 2001 – June 2002, Student, Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. November 2002 – May 2006, C-130H Aircraft Commander, Squadron Safety Officer, 164th Airlift Squadron, Mansfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio
3. May 2006 – August 2007, C-130H Instructor Pilot, 179th AW Chief of Safety, Mansfield ANGB, Ohio
4. August 2007 – November 2009, C-130H Evaluator Pilot, 164th Airlift Squadron, Mansfield ANGB, Ohio
5. November 2009 – August 2010, C-27J Aircraft Commander, C-27J Operational Test & Evaluation, Robins AFB, GA; Pope AFB, NC; Peterson AFB, Colo.
6. August 2010 – March 2012, C-27J Evaluator Pilot, 164th Airlift Squadron, Mansfield ANGB, Ohio
7. March 2012 – October 2018, C-17A Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 89th Airlift Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
8. October 2018 – July 2020, C-17A Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, 89th Airlift Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. August 2020 – November 2021, Commander, 445th Operational Support Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. November 2021 – November 2022, Individual Mobilization Assistant (IMA) to the A5/7 Mobility Functional Integration Team, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. November 2022 – April 2026, Deputy Commander, 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pa. (March 2025 – November 2025, Commander, 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.)
12. April 2026 – present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Eighteenth Air Force, Scott AFB, Ill.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 6,000
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-38A, C-130E/H, C-27J, C-17A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
(Current as of April 2026)