Chaplain, Col. James F. Danford is the Command Chaplain at Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He advises the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command on religious, ethical, and quality of life issues. He supports, evaluates, and facilitates Chaplain Corps ministries at Air Force Reserve Command units through staff visits, quality assessments, policy guidance, training opportunities, conferences, reports and cross feeds. He also manages manpower and personnel matters, education and professional development and ensures force readiness as it relates to the recruitment, functional management, and training of approximately 100 unit chaplains, 100 unit religious affairs airmen, 350 IMA chaplains, 92 IMA religious affairs airmen, and 100 chaplain candidates.
Danford entered the Air Force Reserve in August 2000 through a direct commission. He has performed special duty in support of exercises, Chaplain Candidate Internship Program and base sustainment during wing activations. He was mobilized in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN.
Chaplain Danford was born and raised in Ariton, Alabama. He is endorsed by the Anglican Provence of America and has served parishes in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama since 1998.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science, European / Asian History and Sociology, Troy State University at Dothan, Dothan, Ala.
1998 Master of Divinity degree, Asbury Theological Seminary, Asbury, Ky.
2000 Commissioned Officers Training Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2001 Basic Chaplain Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Intermediate Chaplain Course, Ft. Jackson, S.C.
2012 Wing Chaplain Course, Ft. Jackson, S.C.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Troy University at Dothan, Dothan, Ala.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2000 – May 2006, Chaplain, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2. May 2006 – July 2008, Chaplain, 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (January 2008 - May 2008, Chaplain, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad, Iraq)
3. July 2008 – April 2011, Chaplain, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. April 2011 – May 2013, Deputy Wing Chaplain, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (June 2011 - January 2012, Deputy Wing Chaplain, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia)
5. May 2013 – June 2016, Wing Chaplain, 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
6. June 2016 – August 2020, Chief, Plans, Programs and Training Division (HCX) Command Chaplain’s Office, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
7. August 2020 – November 2022, Deputy Command Chaplain, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
8. December 2022 – Present, Command Chaplain, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service with Gold Border and one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service Ribbon with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 Hourglass Devices and 'M' Device
Air and Space Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant, 4 August, 2000
Captain, 1 October, 2002
Major, 1 August, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel, 21 August, 2014
Colonel, 1 May 2019
(CURRENT AS OF NOVEMBER 2022)