Chief Master Sergeant Heriberto Diaz is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He advises the Academy’s Superintendent and senior staff in the direction of a premier higher-education institution offering a world-class, highly structured four-year regimen of comprehensive military training, unparalleled academics, expansive NCAA Division I intercollegiate program, sponsoring 29 men’s and women’s sports, and athletic programs, along with character development programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree preparing outstanding young men and women to become Air Force officers motivated to lead American Airmen in the world’s greatest air, space and cyberspace force. Additionally, the Chief guides matters of military readiness, morale, quality of life and professional development of more than 9,000 permanent party and cadet personnel, and serves as the Superintendent’s enlisted representative on numerous committees, councils and boards.

Chief Diaz is from Playas, New Mexico and enlisted in the Air Force in 1995. He has served in various duties in Munitions Maintenance, Operations Intelligence, Airman Development, and Senior Leadership positions. The Chief has a vast experience in the joint environment serving in combat with the US Army and Marine Corps, with a background in Security Cooperation. His broad range and depth of expertise includes weapons research and development, 24hr indications and warning operations, targeting analysis, Threat to Air Operations analysis, Airborne Intelligence analysis onboard the E-8C/JSTRS, Department of Defense airborne ISR operations management, and combat operations training in Latin America supporting SOUTHCOM priorities. Furthermore, Chief Diaz served as Commandant for the Erwin Professional Military Education Center, and as Command Chief for Air Mobility forces in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Chief Diaz has deployed on multiple occasions in direct support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM.

National/International Security Leadership, Alan Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C. (2022)

KEYSTONE, Command Enlisted Leader Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. (2022)

Eurasia/Africa Regional Course, Cultural & Language Center, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (2021)

Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina(2021)

Graduate Certificate, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, University of South Florida, Florida (2021)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II (correspondence) (2020)

Global/Regional Executive Course – Africa, Alan Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C. (2019)

Dive Master Certification, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Japan (2018)

Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course (SELO), Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (2017)

Command Chief Candidate Course, Washington, D.C. (2017)
Air Force Senior Enlisted ISR Master Skills Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (2013)

U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, Petaluma, CA (Fitness Award Recipient) (2012)

Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Alabama (2011)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course (correspondence) (2011)

USAF SNCO Academy (correspondence) (2010)

NCO Leadership School, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (Distinguished Graduate) (2009)

Master’s of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C. (2008)

Bachelor’s of Science, Social Psychology, Park University, Missouri (Suma Cum Laude) (2003)

Associate’s Degree, Communications Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Alabama (2001)

Associate’s Degree, Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Alabama (2000)

Airman Leadership School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (1999)

Associate’s Degree, Applied Science, New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico (1994)

USAFA Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (June 2023- Present)

Command Chief, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (2021-2023)

Senior Enlisted Leader, Cyber Effects & ISR Operations, HQ USAF, Virginia (2020-2021)

Command Chief, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany (2018-2020)

Commandant, Erwin PME Center, Kadena Air Base, Japan (2017-2018)

Superintendent, Inter-American Air Forces Academy, JBSA-Lackland, Texas (2015-2017)

Superintendent, JFCC-ISR, USSTRATCOM, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. (2012-2015)

Flight Chief, First Sergeant, and Operations Superintendent, 12th ACCS, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia (2008- 2012)

Graduate Student, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C. (2007-2008)

Threat to Air Operations Analyst, NASIC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (2004- 2007)
(Nov. 06 – July 07, NCOIC, Detainee Ops, Document/Media Exploitation, II MEF, USMC, Al Asad, Iraq)
(March 05 – Sep. 05, NCOIC, Trends Analysis & Command Briefer, MNF-I, US Army, Baghdad, Iraq)

Target Development Analyst, 8th FW, Kunsan Air Base, ROK (2003- 2004)

Indications and Warning Watch Supervisor, 90th IOS, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (1998- 2003)

Precision Guided Munitions Technician, 412th EMS, Edwards Air Force Base, California (1997-1998)

Storage and Supply Crew Member, 18th MUNS, Kadena Air Base, Japan (1995 – 1997)

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster

Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Recognition Ribbon

Other Achievements

USSTRATCOM SNCO of the Year & 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year Nominee (2014)

USSTRATCOM SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1 (2014)

USSTRATCOM SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1 (2013)

461ST ACW SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1 (2011)

ACC SNCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1 (2010)

Distinguished Graduate, Airey NCO Academy, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (2009)

Lance P. Sijan recipient, NASIC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (2006)

Air Force NCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Level 1 (2005)

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, NASIC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (2004)

8th Fighter Wing NCO Outstanding Intelligence Professional of the Year, Kunsan Air Base, Korea (2004)

Distinguished Graduate, Combat Targeting Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (2003)

Ambassador to the city of San Antonio, HQ Air Intelligence Agency, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (2002)

Lone Star Award Recipient, 315th TRS, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas (1998)

Gen Leo Marquez Maintenance Professional of the Year, 18th FW, Kadena Air Base, Japan (1997)

Flight Information

Enlisted Aircrew
Aircraft: E-8C JSTARS
Total Flight Hours: 1497 / 1147 Combat Hours