Major General Christian Oppliger

Commander Swiss Air Force

Current function

Major General Oppliger is commander of the Swiss Air Force. His responsibilities include the basic and operational readiness and the training and deployment of the Swiss Air Force. He reports directly to the Chief of Joint Operations Command. He is in command of the Air Force Brigade, the Ground-based Air Defence Brigade, the Air Operations Centre, the Air Base Commands, the Aeromedical Centre and the Space Competence Centre. Major General Oppliger is also responsible for developing capabilities within the air operational domain.

Career

1997 Captain, professional military pilot, Professional Aviator Corps 2

007 Major GS, Deputy Commander of an Air Force wing

2008 Lieutenant Colonel GS, Commander of an Air Force wing

2018 Colonel GS, Chief of Air Force Planning, Projects, Operational Test & Evaluation

2022 Chief of the Air Operations Centre

2024 Brigadier General, Deputy Commander of the Swiss Air Force

2025 Major General, Commander of the Swiss Air Force

Functions

1993 Professional Military Aviation School and entry into the Professional Aviator Corps

1995 Professional military pilot, Professional Aviator Corps

2005 Operational flight test pilot, Operational Testing and Evaluations

2009 Chief of Operational Testing and Evaluations

2018 Chief of Air Force Planning, Projects, Operational Test & Evaluation and Deputy of the Deputy Commander of the Swiss Air Force

2021 Project manager Air Force, New Fighter Aircraft, and Chief of F-35A Introduction

2024 Deputy Commander of the Swiss Air Force

2025 Commander of the Swiss Air Force