Colonel Karen M. Gharst is the Commander of the 445th Maintenance Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As the senior maintenance officer, she leads sortie generation and maintenance operations for nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft worth 3 billion dollars. She ensures the readiness and training of 400 Airmen.
Colonel Gharst has served in a wide range of leadership roles at the Squadron, Wing, Center, Major Command, Air Staff and Combatant Command levels. Colonel Gharst has operational maintenance experience on B-52, F-16, C-17 aircraft, as well as nuclear maintenance experience on Air-Launched Cruise Missiles and Minuteman III systems.
Additionally, she is an Acquisition Program Manager with experience managing modifications, research and production efforts on F-16, C-17, C-130J, C-5, Global Hawk and C-27J aircraft. She was deployed two times in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command strategic objectives supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Pacific Bomber Prescence.
EDUCATION
2011 Master’s in Business Administrations Degree, Trident University, Cypress, Calif.
2004 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL MLIITARY EDUCATION
2024 Group Commander’s Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2022 Reserve Components National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2021 Air War College, Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Squadron Commander’s Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officer School, In-Residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, In-Residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sep 2024 – Present, Commander, 445th Maintenance Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. Sep 2022 – Sep 2024, Deputy Commander, 445th Maintenance Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. Aug 2021 – Sep 2022, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief, Joint Logistics Operations Center, USSTRATCOM/J4, Offutt AFB, Neb.
3. Aug 2019 – Aug 2021, Commander, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. Jul 2018 – Sep 2019, Maintenance Operations Officer, 445th Maintenance Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. May 2017 – Jul 2018, Individual Mobilization Augmentee, Functional Authority Division, AF/A10, Pentagon, D.C.
6. Sept 2016 – May 2017, C-5 Developmental Program Manager, C-5 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. Oct 2013 – Sep 2016, Deputy Division Chief, Nuclear Operations/Maintenance, AFMC/A10, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. Jul 2012 – Oct 2013, Acquisition Program Manager, LAIRCM Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. Jun 2011 – Jul 2012, Executive Officer for Program Executive Officer of Mobility, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. Sep 2009 – Jun 2011, C-17 Avionics Program Manager, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. Sep 2008 – Sep 2009, Executive Officer, C-17 Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. Jan 2008 – Sep 2008, Flight Commander, Munitions Systems Flight, Minot AFB, N.D.
13. Jul 2006 – Sep 2008, Conventional Munitions Flight Commander, Minot AFB, N.D.
14. Aug 2007 – Jan 2008, Deployed Munitions Flight Commander, Balad AB, Iraq
15. Aug 2006 – Jan 2007, Deployed Munitions Flight Commander, Andersen AFB, Guam
14. May 2005 – Jul 2006, Officer-in-Charge, Minuteman III RS/RV, Minot AFB, N.D.
15. Aug 2004 – May 2005, Armament Flight Commander, Minot AFB, N.D.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 2021 – Sep 2022, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief, Joint Logistics Operations Center, USSTRATCOM/J4, Offutt AFB, Neb.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device
Air Force Expeditionary Service with Gold Border
Air Force Expeditionary Service
EFFECTIVE DATES OF RANK
Second Lieutenant July 7, 2004
First Lieutenant July 7, 2006
Captain July 7, 2008
Major June 20, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel September 13, 2020
Colonel May 14, 2025
(Current as of July 2025)