 |
| Library > Biographies > LIEUTENANT COLONEL KEVIN S. CRUIKSHANK |
|
LIEUTENANT COLONEL KEVIN S. CRUIKSHANK
|
|
|
|
| Bio Tools |
|
|
|
|
Lt. Col. Kevin Cruikshank is the Commander, 425th Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. He leads and directs more than 170 operations, maintenance, and support and supply personnel. Colonel Cruikshank is responsible for all phases of combat training for F-16 aircrew in a one-of-a-kind Republic of Singapore air force Foreign Military Sales fighter squadron. He directs all F-16 operations for 25 permanent party USAF and RSAF F-16 aircrew to ensure combat readiness and is responsible for their overall certification.
Colonel Cruikshank was commissioned in 1994 through the ROTC program at the University of St. Thomas. He served as an air traffic control officer prior to his selection for pilot training, which he completed in February 1999. He has flown the F-16 in operational assignments at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and Kunsan AB, South Korea, also serving Chief of Training and Chief of Safety. In 2003, Colonel Cruikshank was assigned to the 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga., where he was Flight Commander and Assistant Director of Operations. He then served for nearly three years as an instructor pilot and wing Chief of Plans and Programs at Hill AFB, Utah.
Colonel Cruikshank came to Luke AFB in 2009, serving as the Director of Operations for the 61st Fighter Squadron and 56th Training Squadron. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Director of Staff for the 56th Fighter Wing. He is a senior pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours, including more than 100 sorties and 400 hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor's degree in psychology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2007 Master of Science degree in aerospace technology management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2012 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1994 - February 1995, student, air traffic control training, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2. February 1995 - November 1995, student, air traffic control officer training, Shaw AFB, S.C.
3. November 1995 - January 1998, air traffic control officer, 46th Operations Support Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
4. January 1998 - June1999, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance AFB, Okla.
5. June 1999 - March 2000, student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. March 2000 - March 2002, F-16 pilot and Chief of Training, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
7. March 2002 - March 2003, F-16 pilot and Chief of Safety, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea
8. March 2003 - August 2006, AT-38C instructor pilot and Flight Commander, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
9. August 2006 - July 2009, F-16 instructor pilot and 388th Fighter Wing Chief of Plans and Programs, Hill AFB, Utah
10. July 2009 - November 2009, student, F-16 instructor pilot upgrade course, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
11. November 2009 - April 2010, F-16 instructor pilot and Assistant Director of Operations, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
12. April 2010 - September 2010, Director of Operations, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
13. October 2010 - July 2011, Director of Operations, 56th Training Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
14. July 2011 - May 2012, Director of Staff, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
15. May 2012 - present, Commander, 425th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,400, including 425 combat hours
Aircraft flown: F-16C/CG/CJ/CM, T-37, T-38 and AT-38C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 24, 1994
First Lieutenant Aug. 24, 1996
Captain Aug. 24, 1998
Major March 1, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 1, 2010
(Current as of May 2012)
|
|
|
|
|
Printable bio
