Chief Master Sgt. Brian K. Griswold is a cyber operations flight chief at the 264th Combat Communications Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for the combat readiness and well-being of the flight personnel and mission.
Chief Griswold began his military career in 1986 by enlisting in the Illinois Air National Guard as an F-4 Phantom II airborne radio repairman at the 183rd Tactical Fighter Group in Springfield, Illinois. In 1989, when the wing converted to the F-16 Flying Falcon, Chief Griswold crossed-trained to become an avionics intermediate shop specialist. He transitioned to the 182nd Fighter Group in 1991 to standup the avionics intermediate shop for the unit’s new F-16 mission. In 1995, when the group converted to the 182nd Airlift Wing and C-130E Hercules aircraft, Chief Griswold converted to a guidance and control specialist. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in management from University of Illinois Springfield in 1999. In 2002, Chief Griswold transitioned to the 264th Combat Communications Squadron, fulfilling the roles of quality assurance, support systems NCO in charge, operations flight NCO in charge and cyber operations flight chief.
Chief Griswold has deployed in support of Operations Eagle Talon, Joint Forge, Southern Watch, Coronet Oak and Enduring Freedom in his 35-year military career. Prior to his current position, the chief master sergeant served as the cyber operations superintendent with the 264th Combat Communications Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois.
EDUCATION
1988 Airman Leadership School, NCO Prep Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
1989 Associate of Applied Science, Electronics Engineering Technology, Parkland College, Champaign, Ill.
1991 U.S. Air Force NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
1991 Associate of Applied Science, Avionics Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1999 Bachelor of Applied Science, Business Administration and Management, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield
2000 U.S. Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2005 Associate of Applied Science, Electronic Systems Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Associate of Applied Science, in Information Systems Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1986–October 1989, Airborne Radio Repairman, 183rd Fighter Group, Springfield, Ill.
2. October 1989–October 1991, Automatic Test Station Specialist, 183rd Fighter Group, Springfield, Ill.
3. October 1991–June 1995, Automatic Test Station Specialist, 182nd Fighter Group, Peoria, Ill.
4. June 1995–October 2002, Guidance and Control System Specialist, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
5. October 2002–October 2005, Communication Systems Chief Enlisted Manager, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
6. October 2005–August 2010, Communications Computer Systems Superintendent, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (August 2009–August 2010, Deployed Joint Command and Communications Superintendent, Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.)
7. August 2010–December 2010, Cyber Operations Superintendent, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (October 2010–December 2010, Deployed Joint Command and Communications Superintendent, Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, Fla.)
8. December 2010–Present, Cyber Operations Flight Chief, 264th Combat Communications Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (October 2012–September 2013, Deployed Joint Command and Communications Superintendent, Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, Fla.)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Military Medal of Merit
Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom
Illinois Long and Honorable Military Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon with “17” device
Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Senior NCO of the Year, 264th Combat Communications Squadron
2010 Senior NCO of the Year, 264th Combat Communications Squadron
2014 Senior NCO of the Year, 264th Combat Communications Squadron
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of Illinois (lifetime member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class April 5, 1986
Senior Airman May 20, 1988
Staff Sergeant June 2, 1990
Technical Sergeant Jan. 7, 1995
Master Sergeant Aug. 28, 1997
Senior Master Sergeant Oct. 6, 2003
Chief Master Sergeant May 12, 2012
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2022)