Chris Tellsworth is a Retired USAF Pararescueman and former Chief / Senior Enlisted Manager for the 306th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Chris
now works as the AFSPECWAR Special Equipment Manager at the 306th RQS, providing direct support services enabling its mission. He is a strategic leader and planner, an expert in organizing, equipping and training the world’s most elite rescue forces and special operators. He integrates operational subject matter expertise with equipment requirements to the DoD’s elite Personnel Recovery Operators. Chris directs, supervises and sustains all work performed to have a positive
impact to a no-fail mission. He is an expert on Joint Tactical Operations and the AFSPECWAR Guardian Angel Weapon System.
Chris is originally from Northern California’s central valley. He entered the Air Force in 1993 through Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. In December of 1995 he graduated from the USAF Pararescue Apprentice Course, Kirtland AFB, NM. Chris has held a variety of tactical, operational and strategic positions throughout the Air Force (both Continental U.S. and overseas). He is a veteran that has participated in numerous
joint special operations missions and tactical deployments to include Operations: SOUTHERN WATCH (1996-1998, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait), ENDURRING FREEDOM (initial assault/multiple deployments, 2001-2019), ENDURRING FREEDOM-Horn of Africa (HOA) (2005-2017), IRAQI FREEDOM (initial assault, 2003-2018), Italy& Turkey, JTF KATRINA (2005), JTF RITA (2005), JUKEBOX LOTUS (2014), and several JTF NASA Space Shuttle/Human Space Flight launch and recovery missions (1996-2019).
Chris is married to Victoria, they have two children, Ethan and Grace. Ethan is a junior at Arizona State University with aspirations to become an elite AFSPECWAR operator. Their daughter Grace is a Freshman at Embery Riddle University and is driven to commission in
the Air Force as a pilot. When not spending time with his family, Chris is an avid workout fanatic, mountain bike & klunker bike rider, an outdoorsman, a shooter, a handyman and just an all-around good dude!
ASSIGNMENTS:
2024-Present AFSPECWAR Special Mission Equipment Manager, The Peak Inc., Tucson AZ
2012-2024 Senior Program Manager, F3EA/68th RQS, Tucson, AZ
2019-2021 Special Warfare Ground Operations Manager, Monterey Consultants/Red Flag Rescue, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Retired 2020- Chief Enlisted Manager, 306th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
-Pararescue/Guardian Angel Team Leader, 212th Rescue Squadron, Anchorage, AK
-Special Tactics Team Leader, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC
-Pararescue Team Leader, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
-Pararescue Team Member, 41st Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, FL
1994-1995 (DEC Graduation) Pararescue Pipeline & Apprentice Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
EDUCATION:
2023 Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt certification
2021 Program Management Professional (PMP) certification
2017 Masters of Science Emergency Management and Disaster Response
2014 Bachelors of Science Business Administration
2012 Lone Operator Course, Top Operator
2011 Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course
2011 Associates in Personnel Recovery Operations, Air force Community College
2004 Military Tandem & Tethered Bundle (MTTB) Course
2000 Pre-hospital Medical Care Provider/NREMT Paramedic
1995 USAF Pararescue
Apprentice Course
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Bronze Star Medal with
Valor Device, one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Air Medal with two oak leaf
clusters
Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Good Conduct
Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Combat Parachute Jump Star Device
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION/RETIREMENT:
Chief Master Sergeant October 2011
Retired 01 February 2020