919th SOW’s top cop merits prestigious school selection

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  A Duke Field reservist recently landed an elite honor with his selection to attend the Air Force's senior professional military school beginning in July.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Simpson, 919th Security Forces Squadron commander, will be one of just 250 Air Force senior students from all U.S. military services, federal agencies and 45 nations selected annually for in-residence enrollment at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Air War College's stated goal is to develop cross-domain mastery of joint air, space, cyberspace power and its strategic contributions to national security.

According to the school's official website, students in the 10-month course demonstrate mastery of dual challenges--academic enhancement and professional development. To meet these challenges, the college develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in its students that are significant to the profession of arms with emphasis on air and space power and its application in joint and multinational warfighting.

Colonel Simpson said he was "excited and honored" at the news of his selection, adding, "It's a great opportunity for me to study advanced strategic principles with active duty Air Force, other sister services, and international officers."

Graduates now receive Joint Professional Military Education credit and also earn a masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Air University.

"The syllabus also includes international travel to learn from foreign militaries," the colonel explained. "It will be a lot of hard work and studying, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

When Colonel Simpson departs for AWC, he will mark his third year as commander of the 919th SFS.