A native of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Commander Christopher “Humpty” Pollock enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November 2001 as an F-16 Crew Chief. He reported to the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy in 2002, where he served until 2006. During this time, he deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

After separating from Active Duty, he joined the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, MN. While serving with the 148th, CDR Pollock earned a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and received his commission via Navy Officer Candidate School in February 2009.

He began flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida in February 2009 and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2011. Following initial fleet training with VFA-106 “Gladiators,” he reported to the VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers” in September 2012. While with VFA-103, he completed deployments aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), flying combat missions in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.

In March 2016, CDR Pollock reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE (VX-9) at NAS China Lake, California. There, he tested F/A-18 Software Configuration Sets (SCS) 12 and 14, focusing on F/A-18 and F-35 Link 16 integration. While at VX-9, he was selected for and graduated from the TOPGUN Adversary Course in July 2017.

Selected for a second fleet tour with VFA-151 “Vigilantes” at NAS Lemoore, CA,  he deployed aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. CDR Pollock remained with VFA-151 as a Department Head, completing another deployment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) supporting operations in the South China Sea and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Freedom of Navigation missions. During his department head tour, he served as the squadron’s Safety, Administration, Maintenance, and Operations Officer.

From December 2022 to February 2025, CDR Pollock served as a Requirements Analyst (J8) on the staff of Commander, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany. He supported resourcing strategies that aligned the Joint Strategic Planning System (JSPS) with Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes, ensuring AFRICOM’s operational requirements were reflected in Department-wide investment decisions and future force planning.

CDR Pollock has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in the F/A-18 E-G and completed 550 carrier-arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), along with various service and campaign awards.

He is proudly supported by his wife and two children.


 

Last Updated: 8 December 2025