Chief Cindy L. Downing is the State Command Chief of the California Air National Guard. She advises the Commander on all matters affecting training, utilization, health, morale and welfare of all California Air National Guard Airmen.
Chief Downing graduated from Henry Foss High School in Tacoma, Washington in 1974. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September 1976 and served on active duty for eight years as an Administration Specialist. In 1985 she Palace Chased into the Washington Air National Guard as a Personnel Specialist and in January 1986 Chief Downing joined the California Air National Guard as a Financial Management Specialist. Before assuming her current position, Chief Downing was the Force Support Squadron Superintendent at the 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, CA.
EDUCATION:
1985 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGee Tyson ANG Base, Tenn.
1992 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1993 Community College of the Air Force, Associate degree, Financial Management
2007 Bachelor Degree, Business Administration, National University
2008 USAF Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 ANG Chief Executive Course, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
2012 ANG Command Chief Orientation Course, Lackland AFB, Tx
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. April 1977 - April 1979, Administrative Specialist, 758th Radar Squadron, Makah Radar Station, Washington
2. April 1979 - January 1983, Command Section Administrative Specialist, 25th ADG Squadron, McChord AFB, Washington
3. January 1983 - December 1984, Chief, Administrative Personnel Programs, Langley AFB, Virginia
4. December 1984 - January 1986, Personnel Specialist, Camp Murray ANG Base, Washington Air National Guard, Tacoma, Washington
5. January 1986 - August 1994, Financial Management Specialist, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California
6. August 1994 - February 2007, Financial Superintendent, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California
7. February 2007 - August 2010, Personnel Superintendent, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California
8. August 2010 – June 2011, Interim Command Chief, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California
9. June 2011 – April 2012, Personnel Superintendent, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one M device
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Basic Training Honor Graduate
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman 1st Class September 28, 1978
Senior Airman September 27, 1980
Staff Sergeant October 1, 1983
Technical Sergeant October 1, 1985
Master Sergeant December 30, 1987
Senior Master Sergeant December 1, 2002
Chief Master Sergeant March 27, 2007