Chief Master Sergeant Nathaniel C. Durfee 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 Durfee entered the Air Force in June of 2002. He served five years on active duty before transitioning to the Air National Guard. Chief Durfee has deployed in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Security Assistance to Ukraine. Prior to assuming his current position, the Chief was the State Command Chief of the Idaho Air National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters, Gowen Field, Idaho.
EDUCATION
2008 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2012 Bachelor of Science, Management Marketing, Park University, Parkville, Missouri
2014 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
2016 Associate of Science, Information Systems, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2018 Associate of Science, Education Training, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
2021 Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, Maryland
2022 Master of Public Administration, Disaster and Emergency Management, Park University, Parkville, Missouri
2023 Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Phase I, by correspondence
2023 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2023 Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2023 Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2024 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Mass
2024 KEYSTONE, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2002 – January 2004, Security Forces, 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
2. January 2004 – May 2005, Security Forces, 36th Security Forces Squadron, Anderson AB, Guam
3. May 2005 – November 2006, Security Forces, 92nd Security Forces Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Washington
4. March 2007 – December 2007, Security Forces, 141st Security Forces Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Washington
5. December 2007 – July 2017, Tactical Air Control Party, 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
6. July 2017 – September 2019, Force Development Superintendent, 124th Force Support Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
7. September 2019 – July 2021, TACP Career Field and Functional Manager, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland
8. July 2021 – March 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
9. March 2023 – April 2025, State Command Chief, Joint Forces Headquarters-ID, Gowen Field, Idaho
10. April 2025 – Present, Command Chief, CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH & AFSPACE), Tyndall AFB, Florida
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
(Current as of May 2025)