FORT HOOD, Texas -- Christopher E. Albus, a native of Vernon, Vt., was promoted to colonel in a ceremony at the U.S. Army Operational Test Command on Sept. 4.

Albus was assigned to USAOTC July 13 as the director of USAOTC’s Aviation Test Directorate. He is the son of Jane Crossmon and the nephew of Peter Crossmon, both of Vernon. He is married to the former Christine Braithwaite of Harvard, Mass., and they have three children.

A 1984 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Albus served four years active duty as an enlisted infantryman before being commissioned from the University of Massachusetts as a second lieutenant of Aviation in 1992. As an officer, Albus has been assigned to Fort Rucker, Ala.; Katterbach, Germany; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Polk, La.; Alexandria, Va.; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, Ky.; and most recently Fort Hood.

He has three combat tours: one to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. Albus has commanded at the company and battalion level and was recently selected to command at the brigade level.

His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Albus’ new assignment, AVTD, USAOTC, is one of eight test directorates for the Army’s only independent operational tester. USAOTC tests and assesses systems in a realistic operational environment using typical soldiers to determine whether systems are effective, suitable and survivable in varying environments.