Chief Master Sergeant Denny L. Richardson 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 & Air Forces Space), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. He advises CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH & AFSPACE) commander on matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of assigned enlisted personnel and their families. First Air Force is one of four 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 bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it provides airspace surveillance and control and directs all air sovereignty activities for the continental United States. Further, as AFNORTH and AFSPACE, the Command is responsible to provide service component capabilities to both U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Space Command.
Chief Richardson entered the Air National Guard in 1989 completing Air Force Basic Military Training. He graduated technical school as an Aircrew Life Support Specialist and was assigned to the 135th Airlift Squadron in Baltimore, Maryland. He immediately volunteered and became a member of the Base Honor Guard for 175th Airlift Wing in Baltimore, Maryland. In this position his talents were recognized, and he was assigned as trainer for the Base Honor Guard. In March of 1997 he accepted a position as NCOIC of Aircrew Life Support for the 139th Airlift Squadron, Scotia, New York. Chief Richardson has deployed on several occasions in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and in support of Operation DESERT STORM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In June of 2003 he was selected as Aircrew Life Support Superintendent for the 139th Airlift Squadron where he led the team through a series of successful inspections receiving recognition from AMC Inspector General.
Chief Richardson volunteered as a member of the 109th Mission Support Group Base Honor Guard. He graduated from the United States Air Force Honor Guard Protocol Honors and Ceremonies training course in May of 2002. In 2008 he was selected as the Base Honor Guard Superintendent incorporating numerous training and personnel changes, leading to high quality mission results. His financial management experience resulted in efficiencies that doubled the team’s existing budget. Under his supervision the team, comprised of four Title 10 full-timers and a core group of 30 volunteers performed 2,200-man hours and traveled 16,500 miles annually. In September 2014, Chief Richardson was assigned as the Superintendent of the 109th Force Support Squadron. Afterwards he was appointed as the Mission Support Group Superintendent. Prior to his current position he was the New York State Command Chief.
EDUCATION
1990 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1993 ACC Aircrew Protection Instructor Course, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1995 Airman Leadership Course, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2002 Air Force Honor Guard Protocol Honors and Ceremonies, MTT, Scotia, N.Y.
2006 Associate Degree, Aircrew Life Support, Community College of the Air Force
2007 Bachelor of Science Degree, Information Management Systems, American Military University
2013 Chief Executive Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md. 2016 Command Chief Orientation Course, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2017 USAF Command Chief Training Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2018 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington D.C.
2019 Africa Update Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington D.C.
2019 Leading Strategically Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2019 Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Phase I, by correspondence
2020 Enlisted Leadership Seminar, Chapel Hill, N.C., virtual
2020 Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Phase II, virtual
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Distance Learning Course, virtual
2021 Keystone, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2022 Leadership in Homeland Security, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1989 - February 1997, Aircrew Life Support Specialist, 135th Airlift Squadron, Baltimore, Md.
2. March 1997 - August 1999, Aircrew Life Support Journeyman, 139th Airlift Squadron, Scotia, N.Y.
3. August 1999 - June 2003, Life Support Specialist, 139th Airlift Squadron, Scotia, N.Y.
4. June 2003 - February 2008, Aircrew Life Support Superintendent, 139th Airlift Squadron, Scotia, N.Y.
5. February 2008 - September 2014, Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent, 139th Airlift Squadron, Scotia, N.Y.
6. September 2014 - December 2015, Superintendent, 109th Force Support Squadron, Scotia N.Y.
7. January 2015 - October 2016, 109th Mission Support Group Superintendent, Scotia N.Y.
8. October 2016 - October 2020, Command Chief, 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, N.Y.
9. October 2020 – March 2023, New York State Command Chief, Latham, N.Y.
10. March 2023 – Present, Command Chief, CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH & AFSPACE), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Antarctica Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and 'M' Device
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2000 Air National Guard SNCO of the Year, 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, N.Y.
2010 Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year, 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, N.Y.
2017 Chief Executive Course (CEC) Facilitator, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2019 CMSgt Orientation Course (CMSOC) Lead Facilitator, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2021 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course (CCMSTC) Lead Facilitator, JB San Antonio, Texas
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course Senior Mentor, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Air National Guard Enlisted Field Advisory Council (EFAC), Region 1 Alternate
(Current as of January 2024)