Colonel Craig W. Drescher is the Commander of the 913th Airlift Group, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The group reports to 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. while working in concert with the 19th Airlift Wing (AMC), 314th Airlift Wing (AETC) and 189th Airlift Wing (ANG). The 913th AG supports the combatant commanders with the worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo. Missions range from local aircrew proficiency training, aeromedical evacuation and worldwide tactical airlift, to night vision goggle, low-level, short-field assault operations and formation airdrop. The group is part of the first ever Classic C-130 Association with the 19th Airlift Wing; it is comprised of six squadrons with more than 550 members.
Colonel Drescher entered the Navy in 1989 through Aviation Officer Candidate School. In 2004, he entered the Air Force Reserve as a traditional reservist. As a member of the Navy and Air Force Reserve he has flown combat missions supporting several conflicts and contingencies, which include Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Joint Enterprise, Operation Coronet Oak and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. He is a Master Navigator with more than 3,700 flying hours in F-14A, F-14B, C-130E and C-130H2 aircraft.
EDUCATION
1986 Bachelor of Arts, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
1994 Weapons Training Officer School, Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar, Calif.
1995 Navy Recruiting Initial Qualification School, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Joint Air and Space Operations Senior Staff Course 13-04, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2014 Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Mobility Commanders Tactics Course, St. Joseph Air National Guard, Miss.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1989 - March 1990, student, Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola NAS, Fla.
2. March 1990 - August 1991, student, Naval Flight Officer, Pensacola NAS, Fla.
3. September 1991 - June 1992, student, F-14 RIO, replacement air group, Oceana NAS, Va.
4. July 1992 - March 1995, F-14 RIO, Division Officer, Scheduler, PAO, Miramar NAS, Calif.
5. March 1995 - March 1998, Navy Medical Recruiter, Charlotte, N.C.
6. March 1998 - July 2001, Deputy Director National Training Team, Navy Recruiting Command,
Pensacola NAS, Fla.
7. July 2001 - July 2004, Naval Reserve Officer Recruiter, Division Officer, Bessemer Naval Reserve Center, Ala.
8. July 2004 - December 2006, Navigator, Executive Officer, 357th Airlift Squadron (AS), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. December 2006 - September 2008, Navigator, Planner, 908th Operations Support Flight, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
10. September 2008 - September 2009, Navigator Flight Commander, 357th AS, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. September 2009 - June 2011, Commander, 908th Operations Support Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. June 2011 - September 2014, Commander, 357th AS, Maxwell AFB, AL; January 2013 - May 2013, Commander,
746th EAS, Southwest Asia.
13. September 2014 - April 2015, Deputy Commander, 908th Operations Group, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. April 2015 - Present, Commander, 913th Airlift Group, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight Hours: 3,700
Aircraft Flown: F-14A, F-14B, C-130E, C-130H2
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Navy Commendation Medal with one gold star
Navy Achievement Medal with one silver star
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze star
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
Air Force Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one “M” device
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Special Qualification: C-130 JPADS, LCLA, Navigator Instructor & Evaluator
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Ensign April 12, 1990
Lieutenant Junior Grade April 12, 1992
Lieutenant, April 12, 1994
Lieutenant Commander Nov. 1, 2000
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 27, 2009
Colonel March 10, 2015
(Current as of October 2015)