Chief Master Sergeant Richard D. King 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 King joined the United States Air Force in October 1978 and transferred via the Palace Front program to the New York Air National Guard in October 1982. Chief King served as a Security Forces Specialist for 22 years. His various leadership assignments include a 6-year Special Duty assignment as a First Sergeant, deployed NCOIC of Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection in support of Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom in 2002 and 2005 and Operations Group Superintendent in 2008. Chief King has deployed in support of several named operations/exercises including Operation Bold Eagle, Operation Vigilant Shield, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Decisive/Joint Endeavour, Operation Bright Star 2000, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as Domestic Support responses to Hurricanes/Superstorms Irene and Sandy.
Chief King retired as a Police Officer with the City of Niagara Falls and Town of Niagara, New York in May 2012 after 23 years of NY State civil service. He served in several positions to include Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Unit Officer, Field Training Officer, Academy Instructor, Special Weapons and Tactics Team Leader. Chief King is currently on a Military Leave of Absence from the Department of Veterans Affairs were he serves as a Police Detective. Prior to his current assignment, Chief King was the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the New York Air National Guard.
EDUCATION
1978 USAF Basic Training, Lackland AFB, TX
1979 USAF Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, TX
1982 USAF Noncommissioned Officers Orientation Class, Griffiss AFB, NY
1983 NY State Peace Officers Course, Niagara County, NY
1985 USAF Security Police Supervisor Course, Lackland AFB, NY
1989 NY State Dept. of Municipal Police Academy, Niagara County, NY (800 hrs)
1992 USAF Noncommissioned Officers Academy (Correspondence)
1995 Tri- Star Special Weapons and Tactics Course, JFHQ NYNG
1995 USAF Silver Flag Alpha Combat Skills, Nellis AFB, NV
1998 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL
1998 USAF Dynamics of Terrorism Level II, Hurlburt Field, FL
1999 Federal Investigations Course, FLETC, Glynco GA
1999 ANG Security Forces Urban Warfare Course, Camp Gruber, OK
2000 USAF Dynamics of Terrorism Level I, Hurlburt Field, FL
2001 USAF Dynamics of Terrorism Level III, Hurlburt Field, FL
2002 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy (Non-Residence)
2002 USAF On-Scene Commanders Course, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY
2004 USAF Combat Arms Instructor Course, Lackland AFB, TX
2005 Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombings, New Mexico Tech Testing Center
2007 ANG Chiefs Executive Course, Washington DC
2008 ANG Command Chiefs Orientation Course, Lackland AFB, TX
2008 USAF Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2010 Department of Veterans Affairs Police Academy, Little Rock AR
2010 Joint Service Enlisted PME, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
2012 Reserve Component National Security Course, Washington DC
2012 Air Force Smart Operations 21, Andrews AFB, MD
2013 KEYSTONE Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, Ft McNair, DC
2014 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Washington DC
2016 Air Forces Senior Staff Course 17-01, Hurlburt Field FL
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint PME II, Joint Forces Staff College, Washington DC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1979 – August 1981, 436th Security Police Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
2. August 1981 – Oct 1982, 416th Security Police Squadron, Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY
3. October 1982 – Aug 1997, Flight Chief 107th Security Police Squadron, Niagara Falls, NY
4. Aug 1997 – Aug 2003, First Sergeant, 107th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls, NY
5. Aug 1999 – Nov 1999, Operations Superintendent, 28th ESFS, Cairo West AB, Egypt
6. Feb – Mar 2000, First Sergeant, 16th Expeditionary Operations Group, Istres AB, France
7. Sept 2001 – Oct 2002, First Sergeant, 89th Security Forces Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD
8. November 2002 – June 2003, Anti-Terrorism NCOIC, 376th ESFS Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan
9. August 2003 – April 2006, Superintendent Combat Arms /Training, 107th AW, Niagara Falls NY
10. January 2005 – May 2005, Anti-Terrorism NCOIC, US Naval Station, BIOT Diego Garcia
11. May 2006 – November 2010, Wing Command Chief, 107 AW, Niagara Falls, NY
12. January 2008 – May 2008, Group Superintendent, 332nd AEG, 447 AEW, Baghdad, Iraq
13. November 2010 – August 2016, New York Air National Guard Command Chief, JFHQ Latham, NY
14. August 2016 – Present, 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, FL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal 1 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 oak leaf clusters, and “V” Valor device
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
NY State Medal for Valor #131
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1995 Niagara Falls Police Department Outstanding Patrol Officer 1995
1999 Jaffe Award Police Officer of the Year 1999
2002 107th Air Refueling Wing First Sergeant of the Year 2002
2003 New York State Air National Guard First Sergeant of the Year 2003
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
ANG Enlisted Field Advisory Council Rep Region 1 Rep, Chairman 2014-2016, Advisor 2016- Present
New York State Enlisted Association
Enlisted Association of the National Guard
Air Force Sergeants Association
Air Force Association
Air Force Security Police Association
Police Club (PBA) of Niagara Falls NY
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic, Oct. 24, 1978
Airman, Mar. 1, 1979
Airman First Class, Aug. 1, 1980
Senior Airman, Aug. 1, 1981
Sergeant, Aug. 1, 1982
Staff Sergeant, Oct. 1, 1983
Technical Sergeant, Dec. 16, 1989
Master Sergeant, Mar. 22, 2002
Senior Master Sergeant, May. 7, 2004
Chief Master Sergeant, May. 6, 2006
(Current as of May 2017)