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| Library > Biographies > CHIEF MASTER SGT. JOSEPH E. THORNELL SR. |
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CHIEF MASTER SGT. JOSEPH E. THORNELL SR.
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Chief Master Sgt. Joseph E. Thornell Sr. is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and Command Chief Master Sergeant, 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. He advises CONR-1AF (AFNORTH) commander on matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of assigned enlisted personnel and their families. First Air Force is one of three numbered air forces assigned to Air Combat Command and has the responsibility of ensuring the air sovereignty and air defense of the continental United States (CONUS). As the CONUS geographical component of the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it provides airspace surveillance and control and directs all air sovereignty activities for the continental United States.
Chief Thornell entered the Air Force in 1977 and served in Minuteman missile maintenance until separating from active service in 1987. He enlisted in the California Air National Guard (ANG) and served as an F-4 fuel systems specialist while concurrently working as a technical writer for Northrop Grumman on the B-2 aircraft. In 1993, he transferred to the South Dakota ANG and served as an F-16 fuels systems supervisor while teaching elementary and middle school for St. Mary Catholic Schools. He also served as Principal and Chief Education Officer for the K-12 school. Chief Thornell has served as the State Command Chief for the South Dakota ANG and the Commandant of Enlisted Professional Military Education for the ANG. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Vice Commandant for the Community College of the Air Force.
EDUCATION
1984 Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, March AFB, Calif.
1984 Associate of Science degree in business, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, Calif.
1985 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, March AFB, Calif.
1985 Associate in Applied Science degree in missile maintenance technology, Community College of the Air Force
1986 Bachelor of Science degree in business management, University of La Verne, Calif.
1997 Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy (non-residence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 USAF Senior Leadership Course, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, N.C.
2006 Keystone - National Defense University, Suffolk, Va.
2007 Master of Arts degree in leadership, Bellevue University, Omaha, Neb.
2007 USAF Senior Leadership Course, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa.
2007 AFSO21 Executive Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Air Force Enterprise Management Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2008 Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 ANG Command Chief Orientation Course, Lackland AFB, Tx.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug. 1978 - Aug. 1982, Minuteman Missile Mechanic, 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
2. Aug. 1982 - May 1987, Minuteman Quality Assurance Specialist, 394th ICBM Test Maintenance Sq, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
3. May 1987 - Feb. 1993, Aircraft Fuel Systems Specialist, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group, March AFB, Calif.
4. Feb. 1993 - Sept. 1999, Aircraft Fuel Systems Specialist, 114th Tactical Fighter Wing, Joe Foss Field, S.D.
5. Oct. 1999 - June 2002, Chief Enlisted Manager, State Headquarters, South Dakota ANG, S.D.
6. June 2002 - July 2003, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Joint Forces Headquarters, South Dakota ANG, S.D.
7. July 2003 - Oct. 2006, Commandant Enlisted PME, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
8. Oct. 2006 - Jan. 2008, Superintendent, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala
9. Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2009, Vice Commandant, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
10. May 2008 - Dec. 2008, Group Superintendent, 586th Air Expeditionary Group, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
11. Dec. 2009 - Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, CONR-1AF (AFNORTH), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Reserve Service Medal with silver hour glass
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Oct. 2, 1999
(Current as of May 2011)
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