Bio
Maj. Christopher A. Patterson is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Dean of Faculty, United States Air Force Academy, CO. He course directs Discrete Mathematics and teaches Calculus I and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers as part of the teams that are working to modernize the way this fundamental material is taught.
Maj. Patterson received his commission as a Distinguished Graduate from the US Air Force Academy in 2006. He is also a Distinguished Graduate from the Air Force Institute of Technology. As a developmental engineer, he has served in operational cyber positions, including as a crew commander, several program management offices, including as a chief engineer, as a branch chief in an operational test unit, and previously taught in USAFA’s Department of Computer Science.
Prior to his current position, the major was the Chief of the Test Support Branch and Deputy Chief of the Logistics Division for Detachment Six of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center where he supervised a team responsible for coordinating test ranges and lab facilities; instrumentation; data collection, management, and processing; simulation accreditation, and intelligence for the detachment. In 2013, he deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as the Foreign Disclosure Officer for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force — Afghanistan.
Education
2006 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, US Air Force Academy, Colo.
2007 Masters of Science, Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Engineering Level 1, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Program Management Level 1, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2014 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Engineering Level 2, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2015 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Engineering Level 3, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2019 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Test & Evaluation Level 1, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification, Test & Evaluation Level 2, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
Professional Experience
August 2006 – November 2007, Masters Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
November 2007 – September 2008, Officer in Charge, Network Defense Support Group, Air Force Information Operations Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
September 2008 – August 2009, Officer in Charge, Network Fusion Group, Air Force Information Operations Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
August 2009 – August 2010, Crew Commander, 33d Network Warfare Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
August 2010 – December 2010, Technical Director, 33d Network Warfare Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
December 2010 – January 2013, Instructor of Computer Science, US Air Force Academy, Colo.
January 2013 – July 2014, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, US Air Force Academy, Colo.
March 2013 – September 2013, Foreign Disclosure Officer, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
July 2014 – May 2016, Senior Engineer, Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, Network Infrastructure Branch, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
May 2016 – Jun 2017, Lead Engineer, Cyber Security & Control System, Base Infrastructure Branch, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
Jun 2017 – Aug 2018, Chief Engineer, Base Infrastructure Branch, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
Aug 2018 – November 2020, Chief, Test Infrastructure Branch, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.
November 2020 – June 2021, Deputy Chief, Logistics Division, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.
June 2020 – present, Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences, US Air Force Academy, Colo.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 31, 2006
First Lieutenant May 31, 2008
Captain May 31, 2010
Major May 1, 2016
Honors & Awards
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon
International Security Assistance Force Non-Article 5 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal