Brigadier General John B. Creel is the Commander, NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF), stationed at the Italian Air Force Base (ITAF), Sigonella, Italy. NISRF operates the RQ-4D unmanned aircraft and conducts unified ISR operations in support of NATO and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
Prior to his current assignment, General Creel was the Deputy Commander, Air Forces Southern, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. As the air component of U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern is responsible for conducting security cooperation operations and providing air, space and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to that, General Creel served as the Senior Special Assistant to the SACEUR and Commander of United States European Command (USEUCOM), Brussels, Belgium.
General Creel began his military career in 1985 as an enlisted helicopter mechanic in the Army. He then attended helicopter flight training and flew the UH-60 Black Hawk as a warrant officer. After 15 years, he separated from the Army, joined the Air Force, and graduated Officer Training School in 2000. He has held positions at the squadron, group, wing, deployed Joint Force Command and Combatant Command levels. General Creel’s operational tours include operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
General Creel holds an undergraduate degree in professional aeronautics and two graduate degrees in Business Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a third graduate degree in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College.
General Creel holds the rating of command pilot with over 7,500 hours in the UH-60 Black Hawk, and various other aircraft. His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Medal.