Colonel Christopher W. “KojaCk” Melka is the commander of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. He is responsible for the combat readiness and performance of the 140th Wing; directly commanding 5 groups, 1 Civil Engineering Element, and 1650+ Airmen. Col. Melka prepares the wing for deployment and operations supporting critical National Command Authority and Combatant Commander objectives. He develops future military leaders; directs planning and execution to prepare the Wing for state and federal missions. Finally, he overseas the execution of 24/7/365 Air Space Control Authority & missile warning missions, in support of Homeland Defense & NC3.
Col. Melka began his military career in the Michigan Air National Guard. He received his commission after attending the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. He served as an F-16 pilot in the Michigan ANG until 2007 when he transitioned to the COANG. After attending U.S. Air Force Weapons School in 2010, he served on a Title 10 statutory tour as an instructor pilot for the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. After returning to Colorado in 2016, he continued to serve in the 120th Fighter Squadron as the commander and director of operations. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the deputy commander of the 140th Maintenance Group, 140th Wing, Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.
Col. Melka is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in the F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft, having flown over 460 combat hours in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, Freedom Sentinel, and Resolute Support.
EDUCATION
May 1997 Bachelor of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
Jun 1999 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
Jan 2008 USAF Squadron Officers School, by correspondence
Dec 2010 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
Aug 2018 USAF Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
Aug 2020 Colorado Outreach Exchange (CORE)
Dec 2022 USAF Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. September 1999 – September 2000, Student, USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2. December 2000 – February 2001, Student, Intro to Fighter Fundamentals, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. March 2001 – September 2001, F-16 B-course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. September 2001 – July 2007, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 107th FS, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
5. July 2007 – September 2013, Weapons Officer, 120th FS, Buckley AFB, Colo.
6. October 2013 – September 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, 16th WPS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. October 2016 – October 2019, Director of Operations, 120th FS, Buckley AFB, Colo.
8. October 2019 – June 2021, Commander 120th FS, Buckley SFB, Colo.
9. June 2021 – April 2023, Deputy Maintenance Group Commander, Buckley SFB, Colo.
10. April 2023-Present, Commander, 140 OG, Buckley SFB, Colo.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: Over 3,600 military (460 combat)
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38C, F-16, B757/767
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five “C” devices and four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters