Chris Bahner

Chris Bahner has a range of work experience in the military, primarily in the US Navy. Chris started their career as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer with VAQ-135 from 1999 to 2002. Chris then worked as a Naval Flight Test Engineer for EA-18G, ICAP III - VX-23 from 2004 to 2006.

In 2006, Bahner joined the US Navy as an Operations and Planning Senior Analyst for USNORTHCOM. From 2008 to 2010, they served as a Dept Head with VAQ-139 and as a Training Analyst with VAQ-140. Chris also led and coordinated Title 10 activities to train and assist National Guard Headquarter Staffs for disaster relief efforts.

In 2014, Bahner became a Senior Supervisory and Commanding Officer of VAQ-137, where they directed a US Navy Electronic Attack Squadron and led optimization of operations and personnel training. Chris also held senior roles such as a Senior Analyst for F/A-18E/F & EA-18G Aircraft, managing a portfolio with a budget of $1.5B, and Deputy Director for the Deputy Naval Aviation Strike Warfare, OPNAV N98, responsible for managing development and funding of Naval Aviation Programs and requirements.

From 2019 to 2021, Bahner served as Deputy Director and Deputy Commander of the Electronic Attack Wing Pacific. Then, from 2021 to 2022, they held a Senior Manager role and served as the Commander of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, responsible for managing Air Force and Navy personnel, training, equipping, and logistics support of 160 EA-18G tactical aircraft and over 4,000 sailors and civilians.

Currently, Bahner is working as a Senior Warfare Analyst at 2 Circle, Inc. starting in March 2023.

Chris Bahner studied Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where they earned a Bachelor's of Science degree. Chris then pursued further education in Aviation Systems at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, where they obtained a Master's degree. Additionally, Chris attended the United States Test Pilot School, specifically Class 124, to gain expertise as a Test Engineer.