Colonel (select) Coningsby “CJ” Burdon is the Deputy Commander of the 43d Air Mobility Operations Group and Deputy Commander of Task Force Gryphon, headquartered at Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 43d is a uniquely structured stand-alone Group responsible for the rapid deployment of forces in support of the nation’s Immediate Response Force and National Mission Forces, as well as providing combat training & readiness for Joint and Mobility Air Forces partners. Comprised of over 650 personnel and six squadrons, the 43d supports nearly 3,000 US Air Force Airmen from across four Major Commands Joint Special Operations Command stationed at Fort Bragg. To secure national objectives, the Group is prepared to meet short-notice, humanitarian, and worldwide mobility taskings by enabling Airborne Joint Forcible Entry, combat airlift, aerial port, command and control and force support operations. Colonel Burdon was commissioned in 2005 through Air Force ROTC at Penn State University. He has served in a wide range of air mobility, international affairs, and special operations mission specialties. He is a C-17A Command Pilot with over 3500 total flight hours in various air force aircraft and 1000 combat flight hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Prior to his current position, Col Burdon was the Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) for Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
EDUCATION
2005 Bachelor of Science degree, Meteorology, Penn State University, University Park, PA.
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
2013 Master of Arts degree, National Security Studies, American Military University, VA.
2017 Master of Arts degree, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2020 USAF Safety School (via correspondence).
2025 Air War College (via correspondence).
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2006 – August 2006: Plans and Programs, 621 CRW, McGuire AFB, NJ
2. September 2006 – September 2007: Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47 FTW Laughlin AFB, TX
3. Oct 2006 – March 2008: Student, C-17A Pilot Initial Qualification, 97 TRS, Altus AFB, OK
4. April 2008 – June 2014: C-17A Evaluator Pilot and Special Operations DO, 437 AW, JB Charleston, SC
5. July 2014 – July 2016: C-17A FTU Evaluator Pilot and Wing CAG Chief, 97 AMW, Altus AFB, OK
6. July 2016 – June 2017: Student, Air Command and Staff College (Pol-Mil Affairs), Maxwell AFB, AL
7. July 2017 – July 2019: Open Skies Treaty Mission Commander, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA
8. August 2019 – September 2020: Director of Operations, 43 OSS, Pope Army Airfield, NC
9. September 2020 – May 2021: Chief of Safety, 43 AMOG, Pope Army Airfield, NC
10. May 2021 – May 2023: Commander, 43 OSS, Pope Army Airfield, NC
11. May 2023 – Apr 2026: Director of Mobility Forces, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC
12. Apr 2026 – present: Deputy Commander, 43 AMOG, Pope Army Airfield, NC
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2017 – July 2019: Open Skies Treaty Mission Commander, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA, as a Major
2. May 2023 – Apr 2026: Director of Mobility Forces, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC, as a Lieutenant Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,700
Aircraft Flown: T-6A, T-1A, C-17A, OC-135B, SAAB-340, Tu-154
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal, with 2 oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Medal, with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal, with 3 oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Meritorious Unit Award, with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with 4 oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal, with 1 oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2008 Distinguished Graduate, C-17A Initial Qualification
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2017 Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College
2017 Research Honor Award, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association
(Current as of 24 April 2026)