Chief Master Sergeant David R. Paladino is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 931st Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The wing reports to 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, California, and is an Air Force Reserve KC-46 Pegasus associate unit working alongside the 22d Air Refueling Wing at McConnell AFB. In this capacity, he advises the Wing Commander on all matters relative to factors influencing mission readiness, training, professional development, morale, welfare, personnel utilization and leadership of the enlisted force within the wing, which is comprised of 686 traditional reservists, air reserve technicians, active guard reserve, and civilian personnel. Chief Paladino ensures compliance of personnel with Air Force policy to ensure mission effectiveness and serves as the functional manager to the Wing’s First Sergeants. Additionally, he serves as the Commander’s representative on councils, boards, and selective events in the military and civic communities.
Chief Paladino enlisted in the Air Force in September 1992. Beginning his career as a munitions systems mechanic, he advanced to gain a myriad of operational and support experience in munitions systems, inspector general, and force support positions. He has deployed several times in support of various missions and operations around the world including Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Before assuming his current position, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 442nd Mission Support Group, 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
EDUCATION:
1997 Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Missouri
2004 NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2006 USAF SNCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education course (SEJPME), Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2014 Air Force Reserve Command SNCO Leadership Course, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
2016 Associate of Applied Science, Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2016 Associate of General Insurance, American Institute for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters
2018 USAF Senior Leader Course, Dobbins AFB, Georgia
2018 USAF Continuous Process Improvement Greenbelt Academics Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2022 Equal Opportunity Advisor Course, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick SFB, Florida
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. November 1992 – January 1993, Student of munitions systems, Lowery AFB, Colorado
2. January 1993 – March 1995, Munitions Mechanic, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, Richard-Gebaur AFB, Missouri
3. March 1995 – October 1999, Munitions Technician, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
4. October 1999 – March 2004, Crew Chief, Conventional Maintenance, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
5. March 2004 – September 2006, Superintendent, Munitions Control, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
6. September 2006 – March 2013, Superintendent, Munitions Storage Area, 442nd Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
7. March 2013 – July 2017, Inspector, Inspector General, 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
8. July 2017 – June 2018, SNOIC, Airman and Family Readiness, 442d Force Support Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
9. June 2018 – August 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 403rd Force Support Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
10. August 2022 – September 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 442nd Mission Support Group, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
11. September 2023 – Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 931st Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Air Force Association
Air Force Sergeants Association
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with three devices
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven devices
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1997 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 442nd Fighter Wing
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman – Sept. 25, 1992
Senior Airman – July 1, 1993
Staff Sergeant – July 1, 1998
Technical Sergeant – Oct.1 2002
Master Sergeant – Jan. 1, 2005
Senior Master Sergeant – Jan. 1, 2007
Chief Master Sergeant – Sept. 1, 2018
(Current as of September 2023)