Col. Creel is the Deputy Commander, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. As the Air Force component to U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern conducts security cooperation and provides air, space, and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Air Forces Southern supports U.S. Southern Command to deter aggression, defeat threats, rapidly respond to crises and work with allies and partner nations to build regional capacity to ensure a secure, free, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.
Col. Creel began his military career in 1985 as an enlisted helicopter mechanic in the Army. He then attended helicopter flight training and flew the UH-60 Black Hawk as a Warrant Officer. After 15 years, he separated from the Army, joined the Air Force, and graduated Officer Training School in 2000. He has held positions at the squadron, group, wing, deployed Joint Force Commands, and Combatant Command levels. Col. Creel’s operational tours include Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, JOINT ENDEAVOR, JOINT GUARD, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM. He holds an undergraduate degree in professional aeronautics and two graduate degrees in business aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a third graduate degree in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College. Prior to his current posting, Col. Creel served as the Executive Officer to the Commander, United States European Command and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelors in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2000 Master of Business Administration in Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2000 USAF Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2002 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2006 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Strategic Policy Fellowship (IDE), Washington D.C.
2012 Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2018 Marine Corps War College (SDE), Quantico, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2001 – June 2002, Plans Officer, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
2. December 2002 – June 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. June 2005 – April 2010, Student Flight Commander, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
4. April 2010 – December 2010, J3 Air, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A), Kabul, Afghanistan
5. December 2010 – May 2011, Executive Officer to the Commanding General, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A), Kabul, Afghanistan
6. July 2011 – June 2012, Fellow, Air Force Strategic Policy, Air Education and Training Command, Washington D.C.
7. June 2012 – March 2013, Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands, Air Staff, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
8. March 2013 – June 2013, Liaison Officer, Presidential Information Coordination Center, Presidential Palace and Headquarters International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan
9. July 2013 – October 2014, Director of Operations, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
10. October 2014 – June 2015, Director of Operations, 347th Operational Support Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
11. June 2015 – July 2017, Commander, 34th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. June 2017 – July 2018, Student, Marine Corps War College, Quantico, Va.
13. July 2018 – July 2020, Commander, 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, Ga.
14. July 2020 – July 2021, Commander, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik AB, Turkey
15. August 2021 – July 2022, Executive Officer to SACEUR, CDR USEUCOM, SHAPE, Brussels, Belgium
16. August 2022 – June 2023, Senior Special Assistant to SACEUR, SHAPE, Brussels, Belgium
17. July 2023 – Present, Vice Commander, 12 AF (AFSOUTH), Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 7,500 hours
Aircraft Flown: TH-55, UH-1H, UH-60A/L, and HH-60G
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant September 29, 2000
First Lieutenant September 29, 2002
Captain September 29, 2004
Major August 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2013
Colonel May 1, 2018
(Current as of July 2023)