Colonel Kaveri T. Crum is the Deputy Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He is responsible to the 1st SOW Commander for preparing Air Force special operations forces for worldwide missions in support of joint and international partners. The wing's mission includes planning, posturing, and executing strike, mobility, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The wing employs more than 78 aircraft, including the AC-130J, MC-130J, U-28A, PC-12, and MQ-9. Colonel Crum also assists Hurlburt Field’s base support for the wing’s four groups and 23 squadrons, as well as over 40 tenant units, including Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command.
Colonel Crum received his commission in May 2003 and earned his wings in 2005. He has operational experience in South America and across the Middle East, as well as combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
2008 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2010 Master of Business Administration, Trident University, California
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Washington, D.C.
2016 School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2020 National Defense Fellow, Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Washington, D.C.
2022 Joint Combined Warfighting School, Norfolk, Virginia
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2003–June 2004, Student, undergraduate navigator training, Randolph AFB, TX
2. June 2004–February 2005, Navigator, C-130 combat crew training, Little Rock AFB, AR
3. February 2005–August 2006, MC-130E Navigator, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, FL
4. August 2006–October 2008, Resource Advisor, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
5. October 2008–October 2010, Initial Cadre, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
6. October 2010–March 2012, Executive Officer, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, NM
7. March 2012–March 2013, tactics officer, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
8. March 2013–June 2014, Assistant Operations Officer, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
9. June 2014–June 2015, Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Washington, D.C.
10. June 2015–June 2016, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
11. July 2016–July 2018, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
12. July 2018–December 2018, Student, AC-130J Weapons System Officer, 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
13. December 2018–June 2019, Operations Officer, 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
14. June 2019–June 2020, Commander, 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
15. June 2020–May 2021, National Defense Fellow, Center for a New American Security, Washington, D.C.
16. May 2021–May 2022, Director, AF/A3 Action Group, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
17. May 2022–May 2023, Chief, Competitive Activities Division, Checkmate, AF/A3, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18. May 2023–Present, Vice Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: senior navigator
Flight hours: more than 1,700 hours
Aircraft flown: T-43, T-1, MC-130E, MC-130W, AC-130W, AC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant May 9, 2003
First Lieutenant May 28, 2005
Captain May 28, 2007
Major Nov. 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016
Colonel Apr 1, 2022
(Current as of Jun 2023)