Maj. Keithley is Team Edwards Warrior of the Week Published June 27, 2012 By 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Name: Chris Keithley Rank: Major Duty Title: 411th Flight Test Squadron assistant director of operations Hometown: Denver, Colo. When did you join the Air Force? 1996 Why did you join the Air Force? For the opportunity to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. What do you like most about your job? Making things better. What is your favorite thing to do around the area? Exploring California with my wife and friends. Warrior Highlights: "Maj. Keithley is an F-22 test pilot who just returned from a six-month deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, where he directing a 50 member joint/allied team providing oversight of eight brigades, encompassing two allied nations and over 35,000 combat troops. He resourced scarce close air support, surveillance assets, and medical evacuation troops over a 40,000 square mile area to deny enemy freedom of movement and aid friendly troops in contact. Additionally, he facilitated the movement of Afghan soldiers from training to active duty, a key component to US strategy, to ensure the future stability in the region for over 23 million Afghan civilians. Within a week of returning to the U.S., he jumped back into his test pilot role and became the first pilot to ever shoot an AIM-9X missile from the Raptor, validating years of design work aimed at bringing this 5th generation weapon capability to the aircraft. Maj. Keithley is a priceless asset to the 411th Flight Test Squadron, the Department of Defense, and the American people - he is a true warrior!" - Lt. Col. Devin Traynor, 411th FLTS director of operations