Chief Master Sergeant Andrew R. Small is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. As the commander’s principle advisor, he gives guidance and helps lead an organization of 7,700 personnel in six groups and 30 squadrons across nine garrison and abroad locations. He ensures commander’s intent is understood and executed, while having responsibility for the readiness, morale and welfare, training, personal and professional development within the largest and most diverse wing in Air Combat Command. He provides senior enlisted leadership as the wing conducts worldwide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; electronic attack, command and control; presidential support; and treaty verification missions. He also has a responsibility to more than 50 partner units, including U.S. Strategic Command, 557th Weather Wing and 45,000 active-duty, civilians, family members and retirees.
Chief Small grew up in Brooklyn, New York and entered the Air Force in 1998. His background includes various positions within the Communications career field, the Cyberspace Warfare Operations career field, and the Enlisted Professional Military Education developmental special duty as the Commandant of the Robert D. Gaylor Noncommissioned Officer Academy. His assignments include Maxwell AFB Ala., Kadena AB Japan, Fort George G. Meade Md., Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Hawaii, and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Texas.
Prior to assuming his current position, Chief Small was the Command Chief of the 557th Weather Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
EDUCATION
2002 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Associates in Information Systems Technology, CCAF
2010 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2012 Associates in Cybersecurity Operations, CCAF
2013 Cyber 200, Cyberspace Professional Development Prgm, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2013 Senior Enlisted Joint PME, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2014 Cyber 300, Cyberspace Professional Development Prgm, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 B.S. in Information Technology, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah
2015 Professional Manager Certification, CCAF
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint PME II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2019 M.S. in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah
2020 CMSgt Leadership Course, CMSgt Leadership Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation, AF JAG School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Command CMSgt Training Course, AF Chief’s Group, JB Andrews, Md.
2023 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Assoc, Washington D.C.
2024 Senior Leader Security Seminar, AFOSI, Montross, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1998 - August 1998, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. August 1998 - November 1998, Student, Comms-Computer Sys Operator Technical School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. November 1998 - January 2003, Network Control Center Technician, 42 CS, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. January 2003 - January 2007, Wing Information Assurance Manager, 18 CS, Kadena AB, Japan
5. January 2007 - January 2012, NCOIC, Production Ops Div/Cyber Attack Opr, 315 NWS, Fort Meade, Md.
6. January 2012 - December 2014, Det Superintendent, Det 1, 315 NWS, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
7. December 2014 - June 2015, Ops Superintendent, 352 NWS, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
8. June 2015 - June 2016, Squadron Superintendent, 315 COS, Fort Meade, Md.
9. June 2016 - August 2018, Superintendent, Air Forces Cyber Forward, 24 AF, Fort Meade, Md.
10. August 2018 - April 2019, Ops Superintendent/SEL Cyber Tactical Ops Ctr, 624 OC, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
11. April 2019 - July 2021, Group Superintendent, 67th Cyberspace Ops Group, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
(November 2020 - February 2021 & May 2021 - July 2021, Interim Command Chief, 67 CW, JBSA-Lackland, Texas)
12. July 2021 - July 2022, Commandant, Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
13. July 2022 - July 2024, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 557th Weather Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
14. July 2024 - Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal two oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver leaf cluster (with Valor Device)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 18th Wing Information Assurance Professional of the Year, Kadena AB, Japan
2006 PACAF Communications and Information Team of the Year, Kadena AB, Japan
2010 National Security Agency Labyrinth Team Award, NSA-Washington, Fort Meade, Md.
2012 Air Force Space Command Outstanding Information Operations Active Duty NCOY
2013 67th Cyberspace Operations Group SNCOY, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2014 Air Force Space Command AF ISR Enlisted Contributor of the Year
2015 Team Hickam Gen Jumper Warfighter & Integration SNCOY, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
2015 United States Air Force Lt Gen Grant Information Dominance Small Unit of the Year
2016 Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant October 1, 2019
(Current as of August 2024)