Craig Nordgren

Military Professor Joint Military Operations Department

Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force

Biography

Lt. Col. Craig “Hawk” Nordgren is a military professor in the Joint Military Operations Department. He previously served as the commander of the 334th Fighter Squadron and the Chief of Staff of the 4th Fighter Wing. As an F-15E pilot, he has flown over 2,400 hours, including over 800 combat hours in four deployments to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation ODYSSEY DAWN, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. He received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University, a Master’s Degrees in Aeronautical Technology from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master’s Degree in National Securities and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Contact Information

Reveal Email

Areas of Expertise

Afghanistan
Air Warfare
COIN
Command and Control
HA/DR
Joint Operations
Leadership
Nuclear
Operational Warfare
Syria

Professional Highlights

2024

Student, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI

Graduated from the U.S. Naval War College and joined the faculty in 2025.

2022

Commander, 334 Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing

Led 82 personnel responsible for 18 F-15E aircraft. Directed and steered the most efficient formal training unit in the combat air forces. Trained over 100 students annually. Guided organization restructure, pioneered syllabi and optimized decreasing aircraft availability.

2021

Chief of Staff, 4th Fighter Wing

Supervised 158 Airmen and 17 civilians while directing activities of 23 agencies and six directorates. Managed key functions of wing staff while undergoing revolutionary reorganization into Deployable Combat Wing (DCW). Instituted agile combat employment skills and procedures while restructuring deployable combat force elements. Enabled first ever DCW-like deployment responsible for defense of Israel from Iranian hostile actions.

2020

Director of Operations, 4th Training Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing

Managed training program during unprecedented reduction in aircraft availability.

2019

Branch Chief, Directorate of Air and Space Operations (A3), Air Combat Command

Responsible for readiness report and operational training requirements for all air force fighter aircraft. Led integration of human weapon systems initiatives and contracts to enable the warfighter. Designed, developed, and tested and new pilot production model to increase pilot and combat aircraft capacity.

2018

Combat Air Forces Fellow, Air Combat Command

One of four critical thinkers for 4-star commander of Air Combat Command. Authored “Rebuilding the Forge” COMEMP for how to enable Gen. Holmes WOTR article, Rebuilding the Forge: Reshaping How the Air Force Trains Aviators.

2017

Aide-de-Camp, Commander Air Combat Command

Responsible for travel for MAJCOM commander. Enabled global operations and kept 4-star connected with MAJCOM staff while geographically separate. Supported 57 travel engagements, 11 Congressional engagements, and several GO summits. Ensured COMACC connected to both MAJCOM Airmen and supported all press engagements.

Education

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, 2025, National Security and Strategic Studies

M.S., Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 2013, Aeronautical Technology

B.S., Boston University, 2005, Aerospace Engineering

C.V. or Resume

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