Highland High School Class of 1990
Colonel Christopher M. Budde graduated from Highland High School in 1990. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Illinois in 1995. Colonel Budde earned his commission at the University of Illinois in 1995 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. He went on to receive his Masters of Education, Human Resources, at the University of Illinois, as well as Advanced Communication Officer Training, Air Command and Staff College, Army Command and General Staff College, Air War College and Joint Forces Staff College education.

Colonel Christopher Budde is currently the Chief of Cyberspace Superiority Division in the A5/8/9 Directorate, U.S. Air Force Space Command, Colorado Springs, CO. He leads, directs, and manages cyberspace requirement management with 75 military, DoD civilians, and contractors. Colonel Budde oversees the planning, integration and implementation of cyberspace warfare requirements to equip the Air Force’s cyberspace force in coordination with the headquarters’ staff components, and other government agencies. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Budde was the Commander, 412th Communications Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California where he led an integrated team of over 400 military, civilian, and contractor cyber professionals who operated and maintained a $75M C4 systems infrastructure enabling the testing, evaluation and development of weapon systems to deliver war-winning capabilities to our nation’s combat forces. While assigned at U.S. Transportation command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Joint Cyber Center. He oversaw the Command’s cyberspace operations to enable and protect the global transportation mission in the cyber domain. The team provided the combatant command with situational awareness, operationally relevant intelligence and seamless integration of cyber warfare across the Command’s mission. He led the Command’s cyber security and information assurance team to be recognized for their significant contribution to the field of information systems security and to the security of our nation by winning the National Security Agency’s 2012 Frank B. Rowlett Organizational Achievement Award. Colonel Budde Has also served as Commander of the 22nd Training Support Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, responsible for support operations of Officer Training School and training 2,600 future Air Force officers a year in expeditionary readiness physical conditioning, drill and ceremonies and basic military indoctrination. He also served as a Joint Staff Officer in Korea at Yongsan Army Garrison, South Korea. He was selected to serve in the command headquarters as the Deputy Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff United Nations Command and U.S. Forces in Korea. Colonel Budde has held numerous communications and information officer positions and has been a Director of Operations, Chief of Maintenance, and two-time Flight Commander.

As a student at Highland High School, Colonel Budde was selected to National Honor Society, a varsity athlete in soccer and track, and was a member of the Marching Bulldogs and Concert band. Christopher earned his Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 40 and is a member of the Highland Knights of Columbus. Some of his numerous awards and decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. In 2002 he received the USAFE Communication and Information Professional of the Year, and in 2014 the 412th Test Wing Field Grade Officer of the Year. On June 1, 2017, Lt. Colonel Budde was promoted to Colonel.