Colonel Craig McIlwain is the Commander of the Army Petroleum Center, Army Sustainment Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He previously served as the Chief of Joint Logistics, Homeland Defense Branch NORAD and USNORTHCOM from 2018-2020. In June 2016, he assumed command of Anniston Munitions Center, Joint Munitions Command at Anniston, AL. COL McIlwain also served as the Chief of Plans in the G4, US Army Pacific and with US Army South at Fort Sam Houston, TX as the Deputy Chief of the S&S Branch in the G4.
In June 2010, COL McIlwain deployed with the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn as the Support Squadron’s Operations Officer. Upon redeployment, he was assigned as the Support Operations officer where he facilitated the Armored Regiment conversion to a Stryker Regiment focusing on Stryker logistics.
In July 2007, COL McIlwain was enrolled in the Training with Industry (TWI) Program at Sunoco, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA. Here he learned how the civilian industry procures, refines, and distributes petroleum products along the eastern seaboard. As a result, he was assigned to Defense Logistics Agency-Energy (Europe and Africa) where he served as the Plans and Operations Chief located in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
In 2004, COL McIlwain was assigned to 25th Infantry Division (Light) G4 as the Supply & Services Officer. While in Hawaii, he deployed to Mosul, Iraq to take command of the 536th Maintenance Company (DS) with a follow-on assignment as the Aide de Camp for the Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific and the Commanding General of the 8th Theater Support Command.
From November 1998 to March 2002, COL McIlwain was assigned to the 240th Petroleum Pipeline Battalion at Ft. Lee, VA where he assumed duties as platoon leader and the Executive Officer in the 58th Quartermaster (Petroleum Supply) Company, Assistant S3, and Defense Energy Support Center (DESC)-Split Commander in Split, Croatia in support of Operation Joint Forge. He was subsequently assigned as a Petroleum Officer to CFLCC-C4 at Camp Doha, Kuwait in November of 2002. For the next 13 months, COL McIlwain planned and coordinated the theater petroleum distribution plan for the initial invasion of Iraq while serving in the C4-Petroleum and Water Section.
COL McIlwain earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1998. There he was commissioned into the Quartermaster Corps through the ROTC program with follow-on attendance to the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course at Ft. Lee, VA.
COL McIlwain’s awards and decorations include various medals and badges including the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters.
COL Craig McIlwain is a native of Houston, Texas and is married to Adriane McIlwain. They have two children Emily (13 yrs) and Harper (11 yrs).