RICHMOND, Va. –
Brig. Gen. Christopher Batterton succeeded Brig. Gen. Catherine Jumper as commander of the Virginia Air National Guard effective Sept. 6, 2025, and Jumper assumed responsibilities as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air Strategic Initiatives. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, announced the new assignments Aug. 20.
“Please join me in congratulating Brig. Gen. Jumper and Brig. Gen. Batterton as they transition into new positions of leadership,” Ring said in the announcement. “This change represents a strategic opportunity to leverage the distinct skills and experiences of both leaders within new and challenging roles. These assignments reflect the Virginia National Guard's commitment to dynamic leader development and strategic flexibility and the confidence in both individuals to serve with distinction in their new capacities.”
Jumper was promoted to brigadier general Nov. 6, 2022, and took command of the VaANG after previously serving as the Director of Air Operations on the Virginia National Guard’s joint staff. Read more at https://vngpao.info/mskwtaud.
Batterton assumed his role as AAG-ASI after relinquishing command of the 192nd Wing to Col. Brock Lange Sept. 9, 2023. Read more at https://vngpao.info/2p8wz72x.
Biographical Summaries:
Jumper earned her commission as a distinguished graduate of the University of Virginia’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1995. She then graduated from the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. She served two active-duty assignments with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia, where she served in various positions including Munitions Flight commander, 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron and Sortie Generation Flight commander, and 94th Fighter Squadron.
Jumper served in the active component until 2005 when she joined the Air Force Reserve and was assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force’s Office of Congressional Liaison, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
In 2012, Jumper transferred to Air Combat Command Headquarters at JBLE as the Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief, F-15/F-16 Weapon System Team, where she led the largest fighter modernization and sustainment program for F-15 and F-16 aircraft. In October 2015, Jumper joined the VaANG and served as the commander of the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 192nd Maintenance Group, and 192nd Wing vice commander.
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Batterton was commissioned in the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he earned his pilot wings in 2000 upon graduation from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Following UPT, he attended the F-16 Basic Course and was assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. Following Korea, he was assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina where he upgraded to instructor pilot and participated in several temporary duty assignments and deployments.
In 2005, Batterton was selected for the F-22A and moved to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base.
In April 2009, Batterton joined the Virginia Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Squadron as a drill status Guardsman. He has served as a flight commander, wing chief of safety and 192nd Operations Support Squadron commander.
Batterton commanded the 192nd Intelligence Squadron, and he later served as the vice commander of the 192d Wing. Prior to commanding the 192nd Wing, Batterton commanded the 192nd Operations Group.