Arlington, Virginia, June 23, 2022
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is pleased to announce Chris Brunner is joining our research and analysis team as a Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies. He will focus on a range of topics spanning the spectrum of airpower strategy, operational concepts, and technologies.
Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of the Mitchell Institute remarked, “Mitchell Institute’s growth in recent years is based on our unique ability to offer innovative insights and perspectives that speak to pressing national security challenges through the lens of air and space power. Considering the scale and scope of the threats our nation faces, this is critically important work. Chris is a fantastic addition to our team given his background and skillset.”
Chris “Jekyll” Brunner is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and a Master Navigator with over 3,500 total flying hours, flown primarily as a Weapons Systems Officer in the B-1. He is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapon School and served as a Weapons School instructor from 1999 to 2002. He has flown the B-1 in combat and commanded the B-1 operational test and evaluation squadron. Chris served in numerous flying, Headquarters Global Strike Command, Headquarters Air Force, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff positions. He has extensive experience in developing Air Force and joint strategy, requirements, and budgets. After 28 years of service, Chris became the Lead Customer Integrator at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command for Pratt & Whitney in Washington, DC. This extensive operational, staff, and industry background makes him uniquely qualified to contribute to the Mitchell mission.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Washington State University, a Masters of Military Arts and Science from American Military University, and a Masters of Strategic Studies, Grand Strategy Program from the U.S. Air Force Air War College. He has also studied U.S. foreign policy at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in National and International Security program.