Chief Master Sergeant DONALD P. SOUTHERLAND

Chief Master Sgt. Donald P. Southerland is the material management superintendent at the 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for advising the squadron commander and other senior leadership on vital matters impacting the wing, to include supply effectiveness, mobility readiness, training, utilization, professional development, health, morale and welfare.

Chief Southerland enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 1990 and spent five years on active duty before transferring to the Illinois Air National Guard through the Palace Chase program. In 1998, he was awarded Special Experience Identifier 386 for completing the Air Transportable Hydrant Refueling System Course and SEI 040 for obtaining qualifications as a bulk petroleum accountant. Chief Southerland became a full-time, dual-status technician with the 182nd Air Wing in April 2004. In addition to his superintendent duties, he also serves as the Logistic Readiness Squadron’s resource advisor.

Chief Southerland has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and Coronet Oak. Along with his career travels, he was invited to join the ANG Inspection Team, which gave him the opportunity to visit units on more than 20 other bases in the continental United States. Prior to his current position, the chief master sergeant was the Fuels Information Support Center supervisor for the 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois.

EDUCATION
1990 Fuels Apprentice Specialists Course, Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
1993 Fuel Journeyman Course, Air Education Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1997 Supervisor’s Safety Course, Air Education Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1998 Air Combat Command Air Transportable Hydrant Refueling Systems Course, MacDill AFB, Fla.
1998 Fuels Accounting Specialist Course, Chanute AFB, Ill.
2000 Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2003 Fuels Automated System Training Class, Defense Logistics Agency, Atlanta, Ga.
2003 Fuel Craftsman Course, Air Education Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Air Force Managers Fuels Automated System Course, Defense Logistics Agency, Atlanta, Ga.
2005 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Air Force Petroleum Logistics Management Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2010 Materiel Handler Apprenticeship Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Materiel Handler Journeyman Course, Air Education Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Materiel Handler Craftsman Course, Air Education Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 ANG Chief’s Executive Course, Andrews AFB, Md.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1990–August 1993, Fuels Specialist, Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
2. August 1993–August 1995, Resource Control Center, McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kan. (June 1994–August 1994, Fuels Specialist, Moron Air Base, Spain)
3. August 1995–October 2000, Fuels Specialist, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill. (January 1997–January 1997, Fuels Specialist, Hickam AFB, Hawaii)
4. October 2000–November 2010, Fuels Information Service Center Section Chief, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Ill. (August 2001–September 2001, Fuels Specialist, Istres AB, France; August 2003–September 2003, Fuels Specialist, Ramstein AFB, Germany; December 2006–February 2007, Fuels Night Shift Supervisor, Al Udied AB, Qatar; August 2009–September 2009, Fuels Operator, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
5. November 2010–Present, Material Management Superintendent, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Peoria, Ill.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Military Long and Honorable Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Illinois Military Attendance Medal with “10” device

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Senior NCO of the Year, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
2010 Senior NCO of the Year, 182nd Airlift Wing
2010 Senior NCO of the Year, Air National Guard Fuels
2011 Senior NCO of the Year, Illinois Air National Guard
2011 Senior Civilian Manager of the Year, Air Force Logistics Readiness

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Legion
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (Life member, past Illinois vice president)
National Guard Association of Illinois (Lifetime member, past Board of Directors)

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Jan. 16, 1991
Airman First Class Nov. 16, 1991
Senior Airman July 16, 1993
Sergeant Aug. 5, 2000
Staff Sergeant Aug. 26, 1990
Technical Sergeant Dec. 6, 2003
Master Sergeant Feb. 8, 2006
Senior Master Sergeant Nov. 9, 2010
Chief Master Sergeant Sept. 9, 2017

(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2022)