Chief Master Sergeant KARIE A. CONTRERAS

Chief Karie A. Contreras is the Command Chief, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. As the key enlisted advocate, she advises the commander on operational effectiveness and the organization, training, and equipping of more than 2,000 total force personnel. She is responsible for the professional development and proper utilization of the enlisted force; working in concert with Group SELs, Squadron SELs and First Sergeants to oversee the readiness, training, health, morale, welfare, quality of life, and force development of assigned personnel. She also provides leadership and guidance as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, and boards, and at military functions throughout the command.
 
Chief Contreras enlisted in the Air Force in January of 1999. Throughout her career, she has served in Active Duty, Air Reserve Technician and Traditional Reservist roles supporting C-130 E/H airlift and F-16 C/D tactical missions. She has experience in joint service operations and has participated in multiple joint interoperability exercises. Chief Contreras has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, NOBLE EAGLE, INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
 
EDUCATION
1999 Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice Course, Shepperd AFB, Texas 2002 Airman Leadership School, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2007 Associate of Science, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Airframe & Powerplant License, FAA Certificate 2008 NCO Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2008 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2008 Aviation Safety Certificate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME I) course, by correspondence
2015 Senior NCO Academy, by correspondence
2016 Human Factors Incident Investigation Course, Delta Air Lines
2017 Master of Science, Aeronautics/Aviation Safety Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2019 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME II) course, by correspondence
2021 Group Senior Enlisted Leader Course
2022 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Chief Master Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
 
ASSIGNMENTS
  1. August 1999 – December 2001, Crew Chief, C-130 AWADS, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base Germany
  2. January 2002 – February 2004, Flying Crew Chief, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
  3. March 2004 – November 2007, Dedicated Crew Chief, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
  4. December 2007 – December 2008, Squadron Programs Manager, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
  5. January 2009 – September 2012, AMXS Craftsman, 94th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  6. October 2012 – December 2016, Aero Repair NCOIC, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  7. January 2017 – July 2017, Interim First Sergeant, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  8. August 2017 – September 2018, Aero Repair NCOIC, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  9. October 2018 – September 2021, Superintendent, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  10. October 2021 – June 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 482nd Maintenance Group, Homestead ARB, Fla.
  11. June 2023 – Present, Command Chief, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Jan 1, 2021
 
(Current as of 24 August 2023)