Christopher J. Spinelli was born on 15 February 1974 at Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Spinelli. He grew up in Richardson, TX, where he graduated from L.V. Berkner High School in 1992. Chris received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he entered in June 1992 and graduated in May 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
After his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force, his first assignment was Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Vance AFB, OK. While at Vance, Chris met and (wisely) married his beautiful wife, Amy. Following pilot training, Chris was selected for F-16 replacement training in the 63rd Fighter Squadron “Panthers” at Luke AFB, AZ. In October 1998, he was transferred to Moody AFB, GA, to fly the F-16CG operationally with the 69th Fighter Squadron “Werewolves.” While at Moody AFB, he went on numerous deployments, including to Ahmed Al Jaber, Kuwait, for combat operations over Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. Two years later, in 2000, Chris transferred to Hill AFB, UT, as part of the 421st Fighter Squadron “Black Widows” (one of the most decorated fighter squadrons in the USAF). During this assignment, he upgraded to Instructor Pilot in the F-16CG and served as a Flight Commander for the last year of his assignment. In 2003, Chris was deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, for Operation Iraqi Freedom where he again flew combat missions over Iraq.
In 2004, Captain Spinelli was competitively-selected for the combined Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) / USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) Program. He graduated from TPS as an Experimental Test Pilot in June 2006 and received his Master of Science degree in Computer Science in September 2006, after designing a unique differential GPS program. Following completion at AFIT / TPS, Chris was assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron “Skulls” at Edwards AFB, CA, where he flight-tested the F-16 and was part of the first Air Force Material Command (AFMC) unit ever to deploy in support of Red Flag.
Spinelli, while a major, was handpicked to assume duties as the Executive Officer for the Air Force Flight Test Center Commander, Major General (Ret) David J. Eichhorn [Honoree Record ID 309298] from May 2008 to May 2009. Following the conclusion of that short tour, Major Spinelli received his first Meritorious Service Medal. Later in 2009, he moved to Capital Region where he worked in the Pentagon on the F-22 and F-35 programs as a member of the Secretary of the Air Force, Global Power Programs Directorate. At the conclusion of that assignment, he received a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the Meritorious Service Medal.
In 2010, Maj Spinelli returned to Edwards AFB to serve as the Director of Operations for the 416th Flight Test Squadron, leading daily test operations for the F-16. On 1 December 2010, Chris was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He was part of the second-ever AFMC unit to deploy in support of Red Flag in early 2012 where the Skulls performed a capstone test on the latest F-16 software.
On 15 June 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Spinelli assumed command of the 445th Flight Test Squadron, part of the 412th Operations Group, Air Force Materiel Command, at Edwards AFB. The squadron supports test programs by developing the criteria for flight test missions, executing flight test missions, analyzing data from the test flights and reporting on the results of the following aircraft: F-16, T-38 Talon, C-12 Huron and the KC-135 Stratotanker. The military personnel, government civilians, and contractors assigned to the 445th all work together as a team.
In January 2013, Lt Col Spinelli became the first Commander of the 445th Flight Test Squadron to become dual-qualified in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the KC-135 Stratotanker. He is also one of only two known pilots in the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) to have this specific, unique dual-qualification.
Lt Col Spinelli relinquished command of the 445th Flight Test Squadron in June 2014 (receiving a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a third award of the Meritorious Service Medal) to attend Air War College (AWC) in residence. That is a year-long Senior Developmental Education (SDE) course at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL, that included students from all of the Services and multiple partner nations. On 21 May 2015, Lt Col Spinelli graduated from the Air War College with a Master of Science in Strategic Studies.
In July 2015, Lt Col Spinelli began his new assignment working in the F-35 Integration Office at the Pentagon, Washington, DC. The office is the single point of contact for all Air Force F-35A matters and priorities and is the Air Force’s primary conduit of senior leader information flow to the Joint Program Office. The Director of the small and specialized 12-person staff is Maj Gen Jeffery I. Harrigian [Honoree Record ID 308624], who reports directly to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), Gen Mark A. Welsh III [Honoree Record ID 857]. Lt Col Spinelli served as Chief of the Test Branch and the Integration Office's primary focus was on getting the F-35A (USAF version) to Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which occurred on 2 August 2016. At the conclusion of this assignment, he was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a fourth award of the Meritorious Service Medal.
[Lt Col Spinelli spent approximately one (1) year at the Pentagon, which marked his second 1-year tour at the "Five Sided Puzzle Palace." MHOH is fairly certain that is a record, but it has no proof!]
From the Pentagon, Lt Col Spinelli was assigned to Edwards AFB, CA, working for Maj Gen David A. Harris. [Honoree Record ID 312776], the Air Force Test Center Commander (AFTC/CC), as his Chief of Safety. The AFTC consists of three wings: 96th Test Wing (Eglin AFB, FL); 412th Test Wing (Edwards AFB); and Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC; Arnold AFB, TN). As the Chief of Safety, Col Spinelli relays safety information to Maj Gen Harris and provides oversight and policy guidance to the subordinate wings.
While at the Pentagon, Lt Col Spinelli was selected by the board for promotion to the rank of Colonel and he pinned on that rank in a ceremony at the Air Force Flight Test Museum at Edwards AFB on 1 March 2017.
On 16 May 2017, Col Spinelli qualified in the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter at Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ.
Col Spinelli assumed Command of the 412th Operations Group (412 OG/CC) on Monday, 26 June 2017 in a Change of Command Ceremony in Hangar 1600 at Edwards AFB. It is a 2-year command tour. The 412th Operations Group is the Air Force’s most diverse Operations Group (OG) consisting of 5 flight test squadrons, 3 combined test forces, 3 detachments, and an operations support squadron. The 412th is home to 17 different types of aircraft including the F-35 Lightning II and the new KC-46 Pegasus. The OG leads the way in developmental flight test and is a central component in the development of war-fighting capabilities for the Air Force. Its mission is to inform the United States Air Force and Department of Defense decision makers by safely and effectively planning, executing, and reporting on ground and flight tests.
Chris, an excellent athlete, enjoys many outdoor activities such as running, cycling and hiking. While attending the Air War College, he was a Team Member of the gold-medalist men’s 4x 400 relay and cycling team at the Jim Thorpe Sports Days 2015 competition held from 22-25 April 2015 at the Army War College at Carlisle, PA. Teams from the Army War College, National War College, the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy and the Air War College competed. The Air War College brought home the Commandants’ Cup for the 4th time in school history - its last win occurring 19 years earlier!
The Spinelli's are very active in their local congregation, the Rosamond Church of Christ. He is also a busy Dad, taking his boys to Trail Life USA events and hockey practice and games. Chris also assists wife Amy by taking his daughter to gymnastic practices and meets.
Oct 97 – Aug 98: Student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit (RTU) (AFSC - 11F1H) 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
♦ Completed 6 month course on employment fundamentals in the F-16, including both air and ground tactics
♦ Deployed to OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW) in 1999 for 100+ days – 100% hit rate with Laser Guided Bombs
Oct 00 – Mar 04: F-16 Instructor Pilot / Flight Commander (AFSC- K11F3H) 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
♦ Zero class A/B mishaps in over 6,500 hours as Chief of Safety – Lauded as “Best safety program in the 388th”
♦ DETCO for 2-ship, 20 personnel, deployment to Texas to train Army’s young Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs)
♦ Handpicked to fly in the first 388th Fighter Wing OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE (ONE) missions on 12 Sep 2001
♦ Lead 12 OIF combat missions; ran combined fighter OPs desk – enabled 24/7 Close Air Support (CAS) coverage for coalition
♦ 100% hit rate in Commander Air Combat Command-directed weapons system evaluation – “Excellent” rating
Mar 04 – May 05: Student, Air Force Institute of Technology / IDE (AFSC - 92S0) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
♦ Inducted into distinguished Tau Beta Pi (Only National Honor Society Representing the Entire Engineering Profession)
♦ Developed a real-time kinematic differential GPS system which resulted in the first-ever documented six-DOF autonomous flight in close proximity (20 feet) to another aircraft
May 05 – Sep 06: Student, USAF Test Pilot School (AFSC - 11E3Z) USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA
♦ Completed 558 hours of graduate-level academics, 467 hours in-flight training, and 19 group and individual reports
Sep 06 – Jun 08: Assistant Director of Operations (ADO) (AFSC - K11E3B) 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA
♦ Integral part of SAF-directed F-22 test safety planning – lauded by O-7 Program Executive Officer / O-8 AFFTC Commander
Jun 08 – Jun 09: Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) CC’s Executive Officer (AFSC – K11E3B) Edwards AFB, CA
♦ Coordinated 625+ mtgs, 36 TDYs, 40+ VIP visits and two Wing Change of Commands, plus a 2-star General pin-on
♦ Melded testing and combat training in AFMC's first Red Flag participation; ID'd aircraft flaws--drove fielding decisions
♦ Taught F-16 out-of-control academics and was an Instructor Pilot for ten High-Angle of Attack (High Alpha) F-16 flights
♦ Multiple congressional engagements / prep work for Senior AF leaders—key message delivered to Congress, program funding secured
Jul 10 – Jun 12: Director of Operations (DO) (AFSC - B11E3B) 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA
♦ Led SecDef-directed AGCAS tests; F-22/35 risk reduction--projected 136 aircraft/$6.7B saved across 4 DOD platforms
♦ Safety focus; led squadron to 1,687 mishap-free hours/preserved $750M in test assets--AFMC Flight Safety Award 3rd year running
♦ Masterminded disclosure rewrite w/ SAF/IA; kept foreign pilots flying for $7M F-16 test--averted international controversy
♦ Led AF's largest F-16 upgrade test; $15.7M program added SDB & AIM-120D--increased fleet weapon capability 200%!
♦ Responsible for planning & execution of over 50 F-16 ground & flight test programs with annual budget exceeding $101M
♦ Led ops team of 39 military enlisted/officers, DOD civilians and support contractors conducting developmental flight tests
♦ Directed 35 aircrew flying over 1,600 hours for a $32lVI/yr flight test program utilizing 16 highly-modified fighter aircraft
♦ Executed flight operations for 650+ test & support sorties; plans, coordinates with over 350 engineers & maintainers
♦ Directed AF's largest test support fleet; operated 43 highly modifiedC-12, F-16, KC-135 & T-38 aircraft worth $850M+
♦ Oversaw scheduling of 2K+ test support/training missions & 110 aircrew in 12 units; orchestrated $9.5M flying hour program
♦ Prepared squadron for decommission, yet fully executed mission--poised Wing to absorb 9 aircraft & 265 billet cuts
♦ Negotiated dedicated AMC tanker for F-15SA; doubled test efficiency--key to $29B program, DoD's largest FMS ever
♦ Evaluated T-38 Block 9; 26 upgrades, new voice warn system tested--1st fighter/trainer FAA cleared for GPS/Nav approach
♦ Authored a 5000-word Professional Studies Paper titled, "The Rise of Robots: The Military's Use of Autonomous Lethal Force;"declared an exceptional analysis of a timely and complex subject; earned an "A" grade!
♦ AWC ambassador--key Mediterranean Regional & Cultural Studies course team member; flawless engagement during visit to Turkey and Egypt; represented the United States, the AF and the AWC with marked distinction
♦ Team member of gold-medalist men’s 4x 400 relay and cycling team at Jim Thorpe competition—AWC brought home trophy for fourth time in school history, previously won 19 years prior!
♦ Engaged HAF, MAJCOM, OSD, JPO and 8 partner nations to advance F-35 system capabilities and AF priorities
♦ Coordinated POM inputs & acquisition/training/basing decisions to ensure AF readiness and Joint operational capes
♦ Championed operational test requirements; solved 4-yr impasse on network connectivity--$33K/624 hr manpower reduction/yr
♦ Crafted CSAF decision brief; advocated for 2 additional test jets--reduced schedule risk & enabled future F-35 development!
♦ Led joint test/ground/flight/weapons/contract safety programs for 3 wings, NASA, Navy and AFRL--$31B+ in assets
♦ Directed mishap prevention for 120+ units conducting DoD's most crucial tests--116 aircraft/29 MDS’s with $2B/yr budget
♦ Assessed/mitigated risk for 350+ high priority DoD and allied air, space and cyberspace developmental test programs
♦ Led office of 5 during manning crisis; only 2 of 5 positions filled for months--Center/HQ's IG inspections: both EFFECTIVE
♦ Led charge on languishing safety board recommendations; closed 24+ open recs--drove critical safety fixes to field, mitigated future mishaps
♦ Edited complex KC-46 safety responsibilities memo; coordinated with MAJCOM and two Centers--ensured AF equities/oversight
[Most of the notes on these assignments are from the Job Description and Rater Overall Assessments areas of Spinelli's Officer Performance Reports prepared by his superior officers - many of which are General Officers.]
Air Force Institute of Technology Navigation Research Excellence Award sponsored by the Dayton Section of the Institute of Navigation (ION) – 2006
When Chris arrived at his first fighter squadron, the 69th FS "Werewolves" at Moody AFB, GA, he went through what is called Mission Qualification Training (MQT). Every new F-16 pilot goes through this upgrade training after they leave initial F-16 Training at Luke AFB, AZ to get trained in the specific mission of the unit they are assigned. During MQT, he had numerous missions where he did not launch a missile or drop a bomb. Some of those missions included a 4 vs. 4 against F-18s where he didn't shoot a single Air-to-Air missile. Chris also flew an Air-to-Ground mission where they took-off when it was still early morning/night and then flew until it was light outside to their intended simulated target. Unfortunately, he messed-up some of the avionics (specifically he left his HUD control in "Night" mode vs. changing it to "Day" mode and subsequently couldn't see his HUD symbology when the sun came up) and he was still too "green" in the F-16 to remember he could drop his bomb using the "flying W" on the multi-function displays (MFDs) and thus went through "dry" (didn't drop his bomb) and returned home with his simulated weapons. He is sure there was probably another occurrence of something similar on other MQT missions that escapes his memory now.
So during the naming ceremony Capt (now Lt Col) Christopher "Lude" Kibble dressed up like the late John Lennon and sang the very creative, custom-written 'Worm Naming Song' (see lyrics below) to the tune of the Beatles' "Yesterday." Worm actually stands for War Reserve Mode or War Reserve Material (WRM), but to make it easy to pronounce they decided to add the "o" and call him Worm. Basically, Chris said he was "saving" the missiles and the bombs for the next big war! You'll be happy to know that Chris has deployed to the desert twice since his MQT/naming and had no problem finding his targets and dropping his bombs on them!
Photo courtesy of Col Christopher J. Spinelli In January 2013, Lt Col Spinelli became the first Commander of the 445th Flight Test Squadron to become dual-qualified in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the KC-135 Stratotanker. Taking 'ownership' of the 445th Flight Test Squadron Commander's F-16 on 15 June 2012 at Edwards AFB. [MHOH thinks having your own F-16 would be very cool!]
Photo courtesy of Col Christopher Spinelli. Date of photo 10 May 2017 at Luke AFB. Brig Gen Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing CC (L), and Col Christopher Spinelli, 412th Operations Group CC, pass the 412th OG guidon on 26 June 2017 at Edwards AFB. Spinelli assumed command from Col Scott Cain (R). USAF photo by Joseph Sebastian Pol Goc
A squadron mate (using his INDEX finger) points to Lt Col Spinelli's name on the Commander's F-16 after he assumed command of the 445th Test Flight Squadron on 15 June 2012 at Edwards AFB.
I won't say it was a non-event, but it went from being an entrenched tradition to... well, let's say a scattering and a smattering.
Every year, for as long as we've had children, we've spent Halloween at my parents. And they have the house brilliantly spooky, and the kids find money in their dinner, and a ring in the brack, and they get to knock on the same doors as I did with my brothers and sister and our friends.
But this year one was invited to a party, another to a sleepover which went pear-shaped and didn't happen.
So I was left with a disappointed (read devastated) six-year-old, and a two-year-old who hadn't a clue what was going on but happily went in whatever direction he was pointed in, like a little wind-up bunny!
And between everything I mentioned in the last post, and more, we had left it until the last minute to decorate the house, only to find our decorations had been decimated by a wee mouse sometime in the last year... sigh.
So, for the first time ever we had no colcannon, no barm brack, no decorations, and no pumpkin! And for anyone that knows me, that is a sorry day indeed.
But you know, we have friends. We have great friends, who said 'come on, come to us'. And we did (which is where these photos were taken) and for the first time ever we went trick or treating in our village.
And they got to knock on doors, and they got bags of goodies, and they all had a great time and that's what matters.
I am glad Halloween was saved. I bet they are all looking forward to next year already. :) Enjoy your November. xx
We had a bizaar Midterm and Hallow'een of sickness too and miserable kids so disappointed with their energy levels. I took Cal to the Knitting and Stitching Show. Big mistake....K-Doc Sunday, they think he had Swine Flu....Poor boy.
I can only imagine the devastation. Poor little chap! For a child who spends half his life in costume anyway, Hallowe'en must be the one night when the world is totally on his wavelength and making complete sense. And then it threatens to fall through!
But I am glad to hear it worked out in the end. That gleeful face says it all. I hope the others had a fun night too.
Ciara (to sound like the woman I am that was born in the wrong century as husband says...) EVERYTHING happens for a reason dear...who knows what the universe saved you from...and in the end things worked out...as for ourselves...to say we got "wet to the knickers" (its funny now) while we were trick or treating is an understatement ;0) but we wont forget this Halloween...hugs xx
I followed the Blog of Note, too. We've already decided to go to Grandma and Grandpa's next year - it will be a Sunday!
Found you on blogs of note! Hope you all are feeling better; there sure is a lot of stuff going around, isn't there?
I am a grandma (Gramme) of a two year old so I love the fact that your kids want to go to their grandparents next year!!
I loved your story. They grow up so fast and want to do their own things. It's a good thing I guess but hard for us moms.
I'm from the United States and am very curious as to what these terms you wrote meant. "we had no colcannon, no barm brack"
I can only imagine the devastation. Poor! For a child who spends half his life in costume in any event, Hallow 'must be a night when the world is at your wavelength and to give a complete sense. And then threatens to go!
Traditions are so special, but when things go awry, it's sometimes just as special to discover new adventures! (Hope that mousie got a big tummy ache...)
I am gobsmacked by this! Thank you all so much for your wonderful, sweet comments. I am honored to be accolade.
Nothing like the spotlight to make you polish off what's been a teensy bit neglected lately! So I have my blogger hat on at a jaunty angle, and my socks pulled up.
When I first started to read this I wondered if everything would turn out for the best, and it seems like it did! I went through Halloween this year without carving a pumpkin and roasting the seeds (my roommate and I did have a pumpkin, though). Also, I was Posh Spice for this year's Halloween, but the rest of the Spice Girls (couple of my friends) decided to do their own thing and split up. When I was little, Halloween was always a tradition to have at my home and everyone in the family got dressed up. We haven't done that for a while, but as long as I'm surrounded by friends and family on Halloween, I'm good to go.
I am very impressed with your blog, I am also a big fan of Ireland. Thanks for the inspiration to further improve my own blog.
What a lovely family you have. I'm new to all this and you came up as a blog to read. Love your style of writing. Looking fwd to reading more!
Good day Milkmoon, Yes halloween is always a fun time. My girls were always so excited about it even now that they're grown. I guess it's apart of growing up we all never really forget. Glad yours was a good one.
What a beautiful blog! I love your writings and your pictures. So glad to have found you as a featured blog. Congrats!
Hey :) Love your writing , I'm glad everything went fine during halloween =D I'll be always passing by here. Hope you see my blog too^^ I startet it today ^^ xoxo, brooke
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Sometimes I feel so old--I've seen far too many family traditions come and go throughout my own childhood. I'm going to make it a point to emphasize the importance of traditions with my own children : )
Sounds completely different to the Hallowe'en we had: I spent most of the night rugby tackling wee ones who'd managed to make it through the barbed-wire and anti-personnel mines I sprinkled liberally around the perimeter-fence.
I loved reading about your Halloween in Ireland. My daughter and I, having just a smidge of Irish ancestry, are all about things Irish. I wanted to tackle barm brack this year but the ingredients weren't readily available. I didn't know that colcannon was a tradition, is that just with your family or much of the country?