Col. Robert S. Holcroft , Commander, 128th Aviation Brigade
COL Robert S. Holcroft hails from Emmett, Idaho and was commissioned as an attack aviator in the US Army in 2002. Throughout his career, he has led Attack Aviation formations through operational postings in Hanau, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Illesheim, Germany; Ansbach, Germany; and Fort Riley, Kansas. He has completed five combat tours to include Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) 03-04, 06-08, 09-10; Operation Spartan Shield (Kuwait) 2014; and Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq/Syria) 2019. COL Holcroft is qualified as a Pilot in Command and Air Mission Commander in the AH-64E with over 1,800 flying hours.
COL Holcroft commanded 1-1 Attack Battalion,1st Infantry Division and Bravo Company, 4-227 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. In addition to operational aviation postings, COL Holcroft has fulfilled a variety of joint, interagency, multinational, and institutional billets. He recently completed assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff - US Central Command (USCENTCOM) where he was dual hatted as the Deputy Chairman - Military Mechanism for the Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Arrangement between Israel and Lebanon. He previously served as the Chief of Plans, J5 Plans and Policy - USCENTCOM; Executive Officer to the Director of Army Aviation - Headquarters, Department of the Army; Defense Agreements Officer - Department of State; and Command Duty Officer - Joint Interagency Task Force South. He is a graduate of the National Defense University – Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) with a Master of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy as well as the Australian National University with a Master of Military and Defense Studies.
COL Holcroft’s awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four OLCs, and Air Medal with Valor Device and Numeral Six Device.
COL Holcroft has been married to the former Christine Oster of Boise, Idaho since 2002. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Jayda (21) and Nadia (19).