Chief Master Sergeant HERIBERTO G. DIAZ JR.

Chief Master Sergeant Heriberto Diaz is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He advises the Academy’s Superintendent and senior staff in the direction of a premier higher-education institution offering a world-class, highly structured four-year regimen of comprehensive military training, unparalleled academics, expansive NCAA Division I intercollegiate programs, along with character development programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree preparing outstanding young men and women to become officers motivated to lead American Airmen and Guardians in the world’s greatest Air and Space Force. Additionally, the Chief guides matters of military readiness, morale, quality of life and professional development of more than 9,000 permanent party and Cadet personnel and serves as the Superintendent’s enlisted representative on numerous committees, councils, and boards.

Chief Diaz is from Playas, New Mexico and enlisted in the Air Force in 1995. He has served in various duties in Munitions Maintenance, Operations Intelligence, Security Cooperation, and multiple Senior Leadership positions. The Chief has a vast experience in the joint environment serving in combat with the US Army and Marine Corps. His broad range and depth of expertise includes air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons research and development, 24hr indications and warning, combat targeting, threat to air operations analysis, airborne intelligence analysis onboard the E-8C/JSTARS, Department of Defense airborne ISR operations management, and combat operations training in Latin America. Furthermore, Chief Diaz served as Commandant for the Erwin Professional Military Education Center, and as Command Chief for Air Mobility forces in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Chief Diaz has deployed on multiple occasions in direct support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM.

Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

EDUCATION
2022 National/International Security Leadership, Alan Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2022 KEYSTONE, Command Enlisted Leader Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2021 Eurasia/Africa Regional Course, Cultural & Language Center, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2021 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC Chapel Hill, N.C.
2021 Graduate Certificate, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, University of South Florida, Fla.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, in correspondence
2019 Global/Regional Executive Course–Africa, Alan Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2018 Dive Master Certification, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Japan
2017 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course (SELO), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Command Chief Candidate Course, Washington, D.C.
2013 Air Force Senior Enlisted ISR Master Skills Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2012 U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, Calif. (Fitness Award Recipient)
2011 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Ala.
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, correspondence
2010 USAF SNCO Academy, in correspondence
2009 NCO Leadership School, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (Distinguished Graduate)
2008 Masters of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
2003 Bachelors of Science, Social Psychology, Park University, Mo. (Suma Cum Laude)
2001 Associates Degree, Communications Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Ala.
2000 Associates Degree, Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Ala.
1999 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas
1994 Associates Degree, Applied Science, New Mexico Military Institute, N.M.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1995–1997, Storage and Supply Crew Member, 18th MUNS, Kadena Air Base, Japan
2. 1997–1998, Precision Guided Munitions Technician, 412th EMS, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
3. 1998–2003, Indications and Warning Watch Supervisor, 90th IOS, Lackland AFB, Texas
4. 2003–2004, Target Development Analyst, 8th FW, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
5. 2004–2007, Threat to Air Operations Analyst, NASIC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
(March 05–September 05, NCOIC, Trends Analysis & Command Briefer, MNF-I, US Army, Iraq)
(November 06–July 07, NCOIC, Detainee Ops, Document/Media Exploitation, II MEF, USMC, Al Asad, Iraq)
6. 2007–2008, Graduate Student, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
7. 2008–2012, Flight Chief, First Sergeant, and Operations Superintendent, 12th ACCS, Robins AFB, Georgia
8. 2012–2015, Superintendent, JFCC-ISR, USSTRATCOM, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
9. 2015–2017, Superintendent, Inter-American Air Forces Academy, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
10. 2017–2018, Commandant, Erwin PME Center, Kadena Air Base, Japan
11. 2018–2020, Command Chief, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
12. 2020–2021, Senior Enlisted Leader, Cyber Effects & ISR Operations, HQ USAF, Virginia
13. 2021-2023, Command Chief, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
14. 2023–Present, USAFA Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Recognition Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1997 Gen Leo Marquez Maintenance Professional of the Year, 18th FW, Kadena Air Base, Japan
1998 Lone Star Award Recipient, 315th TRS, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Ambassador to the city of San Antonio, HQ Air Intelligence Agency, Lackland AFB, Texas
2003 Distinguished Graduate, Combat Targeting Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2004 8th Fighter Wing NCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Kunsan AB, Korea
2004 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, NASIC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2005 Air Force NCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1
2006 Lance P. Sijan recipient, NASIC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2009 Distinguished Graduate, Airey NCO Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2010 ACC SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1
2011 461ST ACW SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1
2013 USSTRATCOM SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1
2014 USSTRATCOM SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1
2014 USSTRATCOM SNCO of the Year & 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year Nominee

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Enlisted Aircrew
Aircraft: E-8C JSTARS
Total Flight Hours: 1497 / 1147 Combat Hours

PUBLICATIONS
“The Power of the Thumb Drive; Computer Forensics on the Battlefield,” (Classified), NIU
“Changing Resources to the JSTARS and its Implications to the Warfighter,” (Classified), NIU
“Utilization of Airborne SIGINT Platforms to Enable Offensive Cyber Capabilities,” (Classified), NIU
“Downgrading the Baseline Classification of RQ-4 Global Hawk Imagery,” (Classified), NIU
“Principles, Purpose, People; 521 AMOW Airman Development Plan.” (U//FOUO)