Col. Christopher Lutz is the Wing Commander of the 146th Airlift Wing at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California. He is responsible for leading the Wing's 1,084 Airmen, ensuring their effective administration, training, and employment. He aligns group-level goals with overarching national, regional, and state military strategies, guaranteeing the 146th Airlift Wing's readiness to support U.S. and allied forces during contingencies, disaster response, and humanitarian relief operations. As the senior Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) leader, Col. Lutz directs strategic planning for all large-scale aerial firefighting missions supporting Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) missions, playing a vital role in protecting communities and resources.

Col. Lutz earned his commission in 1998 upon graduating from California State University, Fresno, with a degree in Social Science through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He attended the U.S. Army's Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing, earning his Army flight wings. Further honing his skills, he graduated from the U.S. Army Multi-Engine Fixed Wing School with dual qualifications in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. His first assignment was with the 1106th Aviation Classification Repair Depot, where he commanded I Company, 185th Theater Aviation Detachment. During this time, he led his unit in support of Operation Noble Eagle following the attacks on 9/11.

Col. Lutz transitioned to the California Air National Guard in 2002. After earning his pilot wings in 2003, he flew C-130E/J aircraft with the 146th Airlift Wing, deploying multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. He later commanded the 146th Contingency Response Flight and the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, leading the first C-130J aerial support missions into Syria in direct support of U.S. Army Special Forces. From 2022 to 2025, Lutz commanded the 146th Operations Group, overseeing 280 airmen and ensuring operational readiness across tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation, combat weather and contingency response. As a command pilot and evaluator, he has logged more than 3,200 hours, including 550 combat hours across 400 missions. He is also a qualified Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft commander. Prior to his current role, Col. Lutz served as the Commander of the 146th Operations Group, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California.

EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Criminology, California State University, Fresno
1998 Commissioned through U.S. Army ROTC, California State University, Fresno
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1999 – October 1999, US Army IERW / Aviation Officer Basic Course, Fort Rucker, Ala.
2. November 1999 –February 2000, Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Qualification Course, Fort Rucker, Ala.
3. August 2002 – July 2003, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
4. July 2003 – November 2003, Student C-130E Pilot, Little Rock AFB, Ark.5. February 2004 – July 2007, C-130E Pilot, 115th AS, Channel Islands ANG Station, Calif.

5. February 2004 – July 2007, C-130E Pilot, 115th AS, Channel Islands ANG Station, Calif.
6. July 2007 – November 2007, Student C-130J Pilot, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
7. November 2007 – July 2013, C-130J Pilot, 115th Airlift Squadron, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
8. July 2013 – August 2013, Instructor Pilot, C-130J, 115th Airlift Squadron, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
9. February 2014 – May 2014, Director of Operations, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
10. February 2014 - November 2018, Commander, 146th Contingency Response Flight; Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
11. August 2016 – November 2016, Commander, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
12. November 2018 – November 2022, Commander, Operations Support Squadron, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
13. July 2022 – March 2025, Commander 146th Operations Group, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
14. March 2025- Present, Deputy Commander, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.

 

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,300+
Aircraft Flown: TH-67, OH-58 A/C, C-12 C, C-23 B, T-37, T-1, C-130E, C-130J, C-130J-30.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
US Army Commendation Medal

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 12, 1998
First Lieutenant Aug. 12, 2000
Captain Oct. 01, 2003
Major Oct. 01, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 1, 2015
Colonel Jan1, 2024
(Current as of October 2025)