Chay M. Derbigny

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Last Updated: Aug 22, 2024, 11:52 AM

Lieutenant Colonel Chay M. Derbigny

Lieutenant Colonel Derbigny

Lt. Col. Chay M. Derbigny is the Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 205 at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. He leads all training, education, assessment, and recruitment of prospective Air Force and Space Force Officers enrolled at the university as well as students enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University and John A. Logan College.

Before his current assignment, Lt. Col. Derbigny served as the Director for Maxwell AFB’s 2024 "Beyond the Horizon" Air and Space Show and as an academic instructor and executive officer for the Commandant, Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Maxwell AFB, AL. ACSC is the world's premier in-residence and distance-learning professional military education college for mid-career officers and civilians, focusing on the education and development of air-minded joint leaders.

Lt. Col. Derbigny was born in Murphysboro, IL, and grew up mainly in the Chicago suburbs. He was commissioned in 2008 through the United States Air Force Academy and has spent much of his career in special operations and air education and training aviation assignments, deploying extensively.

About

  • 2008 Bachelor of Science, Systems Engineering Management, United States Air Force Academy, CO
  • 2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • 2013 Master of Professional Sports Administration, Ohio University, Athens, OH 2014 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • 2021 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL

  1. August 2008 - March 2009, Commanders Action Group, 14th Operations Group, Columbus AFB, MS
  2. March 2009 - October 2009, T-6A Student Pilot, 41st Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, MS
  3. October 2009 - May 2010, T-44A Student Pilot, Training Squadron 31, NAS Corpus Christi, TX
  4. May 2010 – January 2015, Assistant Flight Commander, U-28A Instructor Pilot, 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
  5. January 2015 – January 2019, Assistant Director of Operations, T-53A Evaluator Pilot, 557th Flying Training Squadron, USAF Academy, CO
  6. January 2019 – June 2020, Chief of Tactics, Command Pilot, 524th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, FL
  7. June 2020 – June 2022, Student/Air University Fellow/ACSC Instructor, Leadership and Research Department, Maxwell AFB, AL
  8. June 2022 – June 2023, Academic Instructor and Executive Officer for the Commandant, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  9. June 2023 – June 2024, Director, “Beyond the Horizon” Air and Space Show, 42 ABW, Maxwell AFB, AL
  10. June 2024 – Present, Commander, AFRTOC Det 205, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

  • Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Air Medal with two silver and four bronze oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal with C Device
  • Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
  • Air Force Achievement Medal

  • Second Lieutenant:         28 May 2008
  • First Lieutenant:             28 May 2010
  • Captain:                         28 May 2012
  • Major:                            01 Feb 2018
  • Lieutenant Colonel:         01 Nov 2022

 (Current as of June 2024)

  • Rating: Senior Pilot
  • Total Hours: 3,480
  • Combat/Support Hours: 1,701
  • Aircraft flown: DA-20, T-6, T-44, PC-12, U-28, T-53, C-146