Chief Master Sergeant THOMAS BLOUNT

Chief Master Sergeant Thomas W. Blount is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of Eighteenth Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As Air Mobility Command’s sole numbered air force, Eighteenth Air Force ensures the readiness and sustainment of 36,000 active duty, Air Force Reserves, and civilian Airmen at 12 wings and one direct reporting unit. Eighteenth Air Force supports Air Mobility Command's mission with over 400 aircraft providing rapid global mobility to America’s armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling and aeromedical evacuation.

Chief Blount enlisted in the Air Force in August 1995 as a Liquid Fuels Maintenance Apprentice. Throughout his career, he has served in a myriad of roles within the mission support, operations, and joint communities to include Civil Engineering, RED HORSE, Technical Training Instructor, Mission Support Group Superintendent, Air Expeditionary Group Superintendent, and Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System senior enlisted leader. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

EDUCATION
1995 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2000 Airman Leadership School, Cannon AFB, NM
2001 Associates in Applied Science in Ecological Controls, CCAF
2006 Bachelor of Science, Wayland Baptist University
2007 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Lackland AFB, TX
2008 Associate in Applied Science, Instructor Tech/Military Science, CCAF
2008 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University
2009 Masters in Business Administration/Human Resources, Summa Cum Laude, Touro University
2010 Master & Community College of the Air Force Occupationally Certified Instructor
2011 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL
2012 Certification in Executive Leadership, Mendoza School of Business, University of Notre Dame
2019 Senior Leader Legal Orientation, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL
2020 Continuous Process Improvement for Executives, University of North Carolina
2020 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina
2021 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Assoc., Inc., Washington, DC
2021 Mid-East Asia, Alan L. Freed Assoc., Inc., Washington, DC
2022 Transnational Issues, Alan L. Freed Assoc., Inc., Washington, DC
2023 Strategic Leader Course, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL

ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1998-1999 Liquid Fuels Maintenance Journeyman, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
2. 1999-2002 Liquid Fuels Maintenance Craftsman, 27th Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
3. 2002-2006 Liquid Fuels Maintenance Craftsman, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
4. 2006-2008 Liquid Fuels Maintenance Instructor, 366th Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, TX
5. 2008-2010 Superintendent, Mechanical Training Flight, 366th Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, TX
6. 2010-2014 Mechanical Superintendent, 819th RED HORSE Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT
7. 2014-2015 Chief, Infrastructure Maintenance, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron, Osan AB, ROK
8. 2015-2016 Chief Enlisted Manager, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron Osan AB, Republic of Korea
9. 2016-2017 Squadron Superintendent, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX
10. 2017-2019 Superintendent, 7th Mission Support Group, Dyess AFB, TX
11. 2019-2021 Command Chief Master Sergeant, 461st Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, GA
12. 2021-2023 Command Chief Master Sergeant, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, IL
13. June 2023-Present Command Chief Master Sergeant, HQ Eighteenth Air Force, Scott AFB, IL

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with star
Iraq Campaign Medal with star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
354 FW ORI Outstanding Performer, Eielson AFB, AK
27 CES NCO of the Year, Cannon AFB, NM
819 RHS SNCO of the Year, Malmstrom AFB, MT
782 TRG Instructor of the Year, Sheppard AFB, TX
82 TRW SNCO of the Year, Sheppard AFB, TX
9 AF Lance P. Sijan Awd Representative, Malmstrom AFB, MT
AETC Civil Engineer Superintendent of the Year, Sheppard AFB TX
PACAF MG Ahearn Enlisted Leadership Award, Osan AB, ROK

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant  1 July 2015

(Current as of June 2023)