Chief Master Sgt. Douglas R. Turner is a systems flight chief at the 264th Combat Communications Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for training the squadron’s power production, heating ventilation and air conditioning, vehicle maintenance, satellite and radio communications personnel and maintenance of the equipment.
Chief Turner entered the Air Force in 1989 and served as a jet engine mechanic with the 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He spent four years maintaining A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft before transferring to the Illinois Air National Guard in 1993 as a traditional Guardsman working on the F-16 aircraft. He started as a full-time technician in 1997 as a turboprop mechanic and quality assurance representative on C-130E Hercules aircraft. From September 2001 to February 2004, Chief Turner was a quality assurance inspector for the 182nd Airlift Wing. In 2004, he transferred to the 264th Combat Communications Squadron and served as quality assurance representative and NCO in charge of the combat support flight. He oversaw the modernization of the 264th from legacy to theater-deployable communications equipment and participated in several Coronet Oak missions in South America in addition to joint assignments and Southwest Asia deployments.
Since 2005, Chief Turner has been active in organizing and participating in joint exercises with the Illinois CBRNE Expeditionary Response Force, Air Force medical squadrons and Army Reserve combat support hospitals. He force-shaped his squadron into a medium communications package to better serve Air Force communication requirements. In 2016, he completed a short tour with Air Force Space Command Headquarters A2/3/6C, working to resolve issues with the Total Force tactical communications branch. Prior to his current position, the chief master sergeant was the command chief master sergeant with the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois.
EDUCATION
1988 Airframe and Power Plant License, Parks Aerospace College, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.
1991 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Military Course, Eielson AFB, Alaska
1995 Associate of Applied Science, Biochemistry, Lincoln Land College, Springfield, Ill.
2000 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2001 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Bachelor of Business Administration and Management, University of Illinois, Springfield
2004 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Associate of Applied Science, Electronic Systems Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1989–May 1993, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska
2. May 1993–July 1995, Jet Engine Mechanic, 182nd Fighter Group, Peoria, Ill.
3. July 1995–September 2001, C-130 Engine Mechanic, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
4. September 2001–February 2004, Quality Assurance Representative, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
5. February 2004–June 2013, Cyber Systems Superintendent, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
6. June 2013–May 2020, Mission Systems Flight Chief, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (January 2017–July 2017, J6 Senior Enlisted Leader, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Africa. September 2019–March 2020, A6 NGB Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, Ramstein AFB, Germany.)
7. May 2020–July 2022, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
8. July 2022–Present, Systems Flight Chief, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Lincoln Medal of Freedom
Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon with “14” device
Illinois State Active Duty with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1991 Below the Zone promotion
2002 NCO of the Year, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
2006 Senior NCO of the Year, 264th Combat Communications Squadron
2012 Senior NCO of the Year, 264th Combat Communications Squadron
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air Force Sergeants Association (lifetime member)
Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeants Alumni Association (lifetime member)
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (lifetime member)
National Guard Association of Illinois (lifetime member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class May 12, 1989
Senior Airman March 12, 1991
Staff Sergeant Dec. 7, 1993
Technical Sergeant Oct. 31, 2001
Master Sergeant Dec. 9, 2003
Senior Master Sergeant Jan. 7, 2006
Chief Master Sergeant Aug. 6, 2013
(CURRENT AS OF JULY 2022)