Spring Valley Hall graduate serving as colonel in Air Force

A Spring Valley Hall High School graduate was recently promoted to colonel in the Air Force.

Col. Louis Guerrini, the son of Lou and the late Lori Guerrini of Spring Valley, is the Air Force Reserve Command advisor to the USAF Warfare Center commander.

He is responsible for the coordination of all Warfare Center TFI initiatives spanning multiple missions with five wings, two named units and one detachment in 22 states. Additionally, he serves the Warfare Center commander as the director of Special Programs and Partner Integration.

Guerrini previously served as the deputy commander of the 44th Fighter Group and commander of the 301st Fighter Squadron. He led the men and women in AFRC’s highly dynamic and only F-22, F-35 and T-38 classic associated Total Force Integrated squadron.

Guerrini transitioned from active duty to the Air Force Reserve Command in January 2011 and has served the Air Force through Total Force Integration as an Air Reserve Technician and two Active Guard Reserve staff assignments.

He is a December 1998 graduate of the University of Illinois and earned his commission through AFROTC. He is a Command Pilot with more than 2,200 fighter hours in the F-15C and F-22A. He has served as a flight commander, weapons officer, assistant director of operations, chief of air dominance requirements, program manager and commander.

Guerrini deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was responsible for the air defens of Iraq while serving in the ACCE and J3/5. He has combat flying experience, including 20 combat missions (163 hours) over Syria and Iraq, in support of Operation Iherent Resolve. He also has more than 200 hours in support of Operation Noble Eagle ensuring the safety of U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama.

He has received the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, air medal, aerial achievement medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force achievement medal.

He has received several other awards for flying and instruction.