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| Library > Biographies > CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT RAMON COLON-LOPEZ |
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CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT RAMON COLON-LOPEZ
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Chief Master Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the largest combat wing in the United States Air Force, the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. He serves as principal advisor to the wing commander on all issues affecting the health, morale, welfare, professional development and combat readiness of nearly 6,000 enlisted personnel. Additionally, Chief Colon-Lopez serves as the installation's senior enlisted liaison between the 18th Wing and enlisted personnel from five other Air Force major commands as well as assigned U.S. Army and Navy enlisted personnel, ensuring installation policies and procedures are known and understood. The 18th Wing provides the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, trained and equipped tactical air superiority forces, combat search and rescue forces, command and control platforms, aeromedical evacuation capability, and global mobility resources for contingency operations. The wing flies the F-15C, KC-135, HH-60G and E-3 aircraft. Additionally, the wing provides the 5th Air Force Commander a responsive, staging and operational
air base with integrated, deployable, forward-based air power. Chief Colon-Lopez maintains a strong bilateral relationship with the enlisted leadership of the Japan Air Self Defense Force on Okinawa, serving to foster better understanding and mutual respect between the two nations' Air Forces.
CMSgt Colon-Lopez enlisted in the United States Air Force on 10 December 1990. After completion of basic training, he was assigned as a Transportation Specialist. Always seeking new challenges, he volunteered for Pararescue duty training in 1994 and successfully completed the Pararescue pipeline in 1996, serving in assignments in ACC, AFSOC, AETC and Joint Commands. He has deployed numerous times in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and several other classified locations. Throughout his career, he has filled positions as a Pararescue and Special Tactics Team Leader, Operations Superintendant, Commandant of the Pararescue School, and Squadron and Group Superintendant. Before assuming his current position, he served as Command Chief, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He assumed his current duties on 12 January 2013.
EDUCATION
1991 USAF Traffic Management School, Sheppard AFB, TX
1996 Pararescue Apprentice Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
1997 Airman Leadership School, Holloman AFB, NM.
2000 Dive Medical Technician Course, NAS Key West, FL
2001 Airborne Jumpmaster Course, Little Creek NAS, VA
2003 Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course, Yuma PG, AZ
2003 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2005 Basic Instructor Course, Lackland AFB, TX
2005 Associate degree in Survival and Rescue Operations, Community College of the Air Force
2005 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (correspondence)
2007 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2009 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint PME (correspondence)
2011 Keystone - National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington DC
2012 Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Gettysburg, PA
2012 USAF Leadership Enhancement Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro NC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1991 - October 1992, Traffic Management Specialist, 7276 ABG, Iraklion AS, Crete, Greece
2. October 1992 - September 1994, Traffic Management Journeyman, 12th Tran Sq, Randolph AFB, TX
3. September 1994 - October 1996, Pararescue student, Det 1 342 TRS, Kirtland AFB, NM
4. October 1996 - February 1999, Pararescue Journeyman, 48th Rescue Sq, Holloman AFB, NM
5. February 1999 - January 2005, Special Tactics Element Leader, 24th STS, Pope AFB, NC
6. January 2005 - November 2006, Training Supt. /CEM, USAF PJ/CRO School, Kirtland AFB, NM
7. November 2006 - April 2009, Commandant, USAF PJ/CRO School, Kirtland AFB, NM
8. April 2009 - April 2011, Senior Enlisted Advisor, 24th Special Tactics Sq, Pope AFB, NC
9. April 2011 - November 2011, Group Superintendant, 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope AAF, NC
10. November 2011 - January 2013, Command Chief, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL
11. January 2013 - Present, Command Chief, 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor and oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal (2007 Inaugural Recipient)
Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1994 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
1997 Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School
1998 Air Combat Command (ACC) Pararescue Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2003 Commandant's Award and Distinguished Graduate, Gunter NCO Academy
2004 Air Force Pararescue Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2005 Air Force Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award recipient, Senior Noncommissioned Officer
2005 Team Kirtland Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2006 Jaycee's Ten Outstanding Young Americans USAF nominee to U.S. Chamber of Commerce
2013 Gathering of Eagles Inductee, USAF Air Command and Staff College
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Dec 1, 2009
(Current as of Jan 2013)
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