Chief Master Sergeant Tessa M. Fontaine is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. She advises the Academy’s Superintendent and senior staff in the direction of a 47-month program of military education and leadership development that produces leaders of character immediately ready to lead in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Additionally, the Chief guides matters of military readiness, morale, quality of life and professional development across five Major Units totaling more than 9,000 permanent party and cadet personnel. She also serves as the Superintendent’s enlisted representative on numerous committees, councils and boards.

Chief Fontaine was raised in Holyoke, Mass. until she entered the Air Force in 1998. Her Security Forces background includes various bases, deployments, and duties. Additionally, she was assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office where she drove multiple joint espionage investigations securing convictions. From there, she served as a Military Training Instructor and in various leadership positions within Basic Military Training before returning to Security Forces. Prior to her current assignment she was the Command Chief for the 88 Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C. (2025)

Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2024)

PreCommand Team Training, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. (2024)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (I), National Defense University, Washington D.C. (2024)

Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (2022)

Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation, by distance learning (2021)

Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. (2020)

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. (2016)

Associate of Applied Science, Education and Training Management, Community College of the Air Force (2015)

Military Training Instructor School, Lackland AFB, Texas (2013)

Professional Managers Certification, Community College of the Air Force (2013)

DoD Windows Forensic Examiner/Media Collector, Defense Counterintelligence Training Academy, Md. (2012)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (I), National Defense University, Washington D.C. (2012)

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration, University of Phoenix (2011)

Advanced Espionage Course, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Va. (2010)

Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss. (2009)

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force (2006)

Military Police Investigations School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (2003)

Airman Leadership School, Aviano Air Base, Italy (2001)

Security Police Apprentice Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (1998)

Command Chief, USAFA, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (August 2026 – Present)

Command Chief, 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (June 2024 – June 2026)

Command Chief Special Warfare Training Wing, JBSA, Texas (July 2022 – June 2024)

Senior Enlisted Leader, 377th Mission Support Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (June 2020 – June 2022)

Security Forces Manager, 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (September 2019 – May 2020)

Security Forces Manager, 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea (November 2018 – September 2019)

Security Forces Manager, 341st Security Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. (May 2017 – October 2018)

Squadron Superintendent, 737th Training Support Squadron, JBSA, Texas (January 2016 – May 2017)

Training Superintendent, 323rd Training Squadron, JBSA, Texas (November 2014 – December 2015)

Military Training Instructor, 320th Training Squadron, JBSA, Texas (October 2013 – October 2014)

Superintendent, Counterintelligence and Cyber Inquiries, NRO, Chantilly, Va. (January 2010 – September 2013)

Special Investigations/AT, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Chantilly, Va. (January 2006 – December 2009)

Patrolman/Security Forces Investigator, 1st Security Forces Squadron, Langley AFB, Va. (Base Defense Operations Center Controller, Kirkuk AB, Iraq) (January 2003 – December 2005)

Security Forces Evaluator, 31st Security Forces Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (January 2000 – January 2003)

Security Forces Apprentice, 320th Missile Squadron, FE Warren AFB, Wyo. (TASS Operator, Ali Al Salem Air Base (AB), Kuwait) (August 1998 – December 1999)

Student, Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas (May 1998 – July 1998)

Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas (March 1998 – May 1998)

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

AF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Achievement Medal

AF Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with Service Star

Other Achievements

Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year (2013)

Commandant’s Award, Military Training Instructor School (2013)

Bronze Medal, National Reconnaissance Office (2012)

U.S. Attorney General Achievement Award (2012)

Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Air Force Space Command (2012)

Director’s Circle Award, National Reconnaissance Office (2009)

Noncommissioned Office of the Year, National Reconnaissance Office (2006)

Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School (2002)

(Current as of August 2026)