Col (Dr.) Chrystal D. Henderson is the Commander, 375th Medical Group, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In this role, she is responsible for the healthcare delivered to over 60,000 beneficiaries by 588 military, civilian, and contract personnel while also executing a unique military-civilian family medicine residency program. The group supports the diverse mission set of the 375th Air Mobility Wing and 36 mission partners, including Air Mobility Command, U.S. Transportation Command, and 18th Air Force Headquarters.
Col Henderson received her commission into the United States Air Force Medical Corps in 1998 after completing her Doctor of Medicine degree. Col Henderson completed residency training in Family Medicine and entered Active Duty service in 2001. Throughout her career, she has held several leadership positions at the flight, squadron, group, division, and directorate levels. Prior to her current assignment, Col Henderson served as the Air Force Surgeon General Chair to Air University and the Air War College Director, Research & Electives. She has deployed twice in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
1998 Doctorate in Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
2001 Residency in Family Medicine, University of TN-Jackson, Jackson, Tennessee
2001 Commissioned Officer Training, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2005 Intermediate Executive Skills Course (Residence), Wichita Falls, Texas
2012 Air War College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2014 Master of Arts in Strategic Studies, Air War College (Residence), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2014 Combined Senior Leaders Course, Falls Church, Virginia
2015 Interagency Institute for Federal Healthcare Executives (Residence), Fort Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia
2015 Joint Senior Medical Leaders Course, Fall Church, Virginia
2015 Patient Centered Medical Home Executive Leadership Symposium, Tampa, Florida
2018 LEADS Capstone Course for Military Health System Leaders, Falls Church, Virginia
ASSIGNMENTS
1.October 2001 - March 2004, Family Medicine Physician, Warner Robins AFB, Georgia.
2.November 2003 - March 2004, Chief of Family Medicine, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Manas Air Base, Republic ofKyrgyzstan
3.April 2004 - September 2005, Family Medicine Flight Commander, Warner Robins AFB, Georgia
4.September 2005 - July 2008, Chief of the Medical Staff, Warner Robins AFB, Georgia
5.July 2008 - June 2011, Chief of the Medical Staff, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
6.August 2009 - January 2010, Advisor to the Afghan National Army Chief Medical Officer, Kabul Military Training Center MentorGroup, NATO Training Mission and Combined Security Transition Command, Kabul, Afghanistan
7.June 2011 - July 2013, Commander, 42d Medical Operations Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
8.June 2012 - July 2013, 42d Medical Group Deputy Commander, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
9.July 2013 - July 2014, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama10.July 2014 - July 2016, Commander, 779th Medical Operations Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland11.June 2016 - July 2016, Deputy Commander, 779th Medical Group, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland12.July 2016 - May 2017, Chief, Medical Operations Division/Medical Home Panel Chair, Air Force Medical Support Agency, FallsChurch, Virginia13.May 2017 - July 2020, Commander, 509th Medical Group, Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri14.July 2020 - June 2023, Director, Medical Operations, Department of the Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 15.June 2023 - June 2024, Chair, AF Surgeon General Chair to Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama16.September 2023 - June 2024, Director, Electives & Research, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama17.July 2024 - Present, MTF Director/Commander, 375th Medical Group, Scott AFB, Illinois
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and one oak leaf cluster Air Force Longevity Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
NATO Medal with one bronze service star