Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel “CHIKN” Berroth is the Commander of the 190th Operations Support Squadron, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, Forbes Field, Topeka, KS. He directs the full-spectrum readiness posture of 14 Aircrew and 39 support personnel, ensuring Airmen deployment predictability and maintaining home station preparedness while simultaneously preserving readiness for the Air Force’s nuclear deterrence enterprise. He is directly responsible for maintaining squadron moral, performance standards, and flying safety awareness. He integrates the efforts of the individuals in the 190th Operations Support Squadron to execute Global Reach-Global Power through the mission and vision of the 190th Air Refueling Wing Commander.
Born and raised in Topeka, Lt Col Berroth enlisted into the 190th Air Refueling Wing in 2003 after being selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training and later commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 2004. He attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, TX; and graduated from SUPT in November 2005. Lt Col Berroth completed KC-135 Combat Crew Training at Altus AFB in 2006.
While in the 190th Operations Group, Lt Col Berroth served as the Wing Plans Officer, Chief of Off Station, Chief of Current Operations, Chief of Wing Plans and Programs, 190th OSS Chief of Aircrew Training and Tactics, 117th Air Refueling Squadron Director of Operations. He is an evaluator/instructor pilot with over 4000 hours in the KC-135. He has served his country by direct participation in named operations Unified Protector, Atlantic Resolve, Capitol Response, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. In addition, he has deployed multiple times for theater support in the Indo-Pacific region as both flying aircrew and the 506th Air Refueling Director of Operations. Lt Col Berroth resides in Topeka, KS with his wife and two sons.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor’s Degree-Airway Science-Professional Pilot, Kansas State University, Salina, KS
2004 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, TN
2005 USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX
2006 USAF KC-135 Combat Crew Training, Altus AFB, OK
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2014 Global Ready Aircraft Commander Course, Scott AFB, IL
2015 USAF Central Flight Instructor Course, Altus AFB, OK
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL, by correspondence
2023 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Forbes Field, KS
2023 Squadron Commanders Course, Andrews AFB, DC
ASSIGNMENTS
November 2004 – November 2005, USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB
December 2005 – June 2006, KC-135 Combat Crew Training, Altus AFB, OK
January 2007 – April 2009, 190th ARW Wing Plans Officer, 190th ARW
May 2009 – June 2014, 190th ARW Mobility Pilot, 117th Air Refueling Squadron
July 2015 – October 2016, Chief of Off-Station, 190th Operations Support Squadron
November 2016 – November 2018, Chief of Current Operation, 190th Operations Support Squadron
December 2018 – September 2020, Wing Plans Chief, 190th ARW
October 2020 – September 2021, Chief of Aircrew Training and Tactics, 190th Operations Support Squadron
October 2021 – April 2024, Director of Operations, 117th Air Refueling Squadron
April 2024 – Present, Commander, 190 Operations Support Squadron
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot, Instructor/Evaluator
Flight Hours: 4,000+ Military, including 1,100+ combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-6, T-1, KC-135 E/R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Unit Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with 2 Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass and 4 'M' Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Kansas National Guard Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant (April 23, 2004)
First Lieutenant (April 23, 2006)
Captain (April 23, 2008)
Major (November 5, 2012)
Lieutenant Colonel (February 21, 2019)
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2024)