CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT STEPHEN D. NICHOLAS
Chief Master Sergeant Stephen D. Nicholas is the IMA to the Command Chief Master Sergeant of Eighth Air Force and Senior Enlisted Leader for Joint-Global, Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC) at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. In this role, Chief Nicholas supports the operational utilization, readiness, assignment, morale and welfare of more than 24,000 joint warfighters. The “Mighty Eighth” is the numbered Air Force responsible for the DoD’s entire bomber force, 608th Air Operations Center, Joint Nuclear Operations Center and National Airborne Operations Center. The J-GSOC is the primary organization supporting the commander and is also the warfighting air component to U.S. Strategic Command. The J-GSOC serves as the primary command and control center for all operations within Air Force Global Strike Command.
Throughout his career, Nicholas has filled many roles such as shop Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Superintendent, VIP/EP Specialist for inbound Generals, Professional Development Facilitator and Instructor. In 2005, Nicholas deployed to the United Arab Emirates in support of Enduring Freedom. In 2012, Nicholas was the first enlisted members to be assigned as the Counter Narcotic Program Manager under the control of US CENTOM. While working at the US Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, Nicholas managed a Forty Million Dollar portfolio of equipment, training and construction as well as Executive Protection Coordinator for the US Ambassador.
EDUCATION
1993 USAF NCO Preparatory Course
1994 Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Central Michigan University
1994 AFRC NCO Leadership Development Course
1997 Police Academy - Delta Community College
2002 USAF NCO Academy, by correspondence
2004 USAF Senior NCO Academy, by correspondence
2006 AFRC Senior NCO Leadership Course, by correspondence
2009 AFRC Professional Development Center NCO Leadership Course Facilitator training
2014 Associates in Applied Science degree in Construction Technology, CCAF
2014 AFRC Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course
2014 AFIT WMGT 570 Civil Engineer Superintendent Course
2018 AFSO21 Green Belt Academics, Youngstown ARS, OH
2019 R.L. Oatman Dignitary & Executive Protection (3 day course)
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1989 - July 1989, Air Force Basic Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. August 1989 - July 1997, Structural Craftsman, 927 Civil Engineer Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
3. July 1997 - June 2000, Structural Specialist, 366th Training Squadron, Det. 6, Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi
4. June 2000 - September 2007, Structural NCOIC, 927th Civil Engineer Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
5. August 2005 – February 2006, Structural NCOIC, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates
6. September 2007 - January 2008, Structural Superintendent, 927th Civil Engineer Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
7. January 2008 - November 2012, Structural Superintendent, 94th Civil Engineer Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Georgia
8. March 2012 - March 2013, CENTCOM Counter Narcotic Program Manager, US Embassy Bishkek, Kyrygz Republic
9. November 2012 - January 2015, Chief Engineer Manager, 622nd Civil Engineer Flight (S-Team), Dobbins ARB, Georgia
10. January 2015 - March 2020, Chief Of Operations, 910th Civil Engineer Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio
11. March 2020 – November 2022, Command Chief, 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
12. November 2022 – Present, IMA to the Command Chief of Eighth Air Force and the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Joint-Global, Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC), Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Air and Space Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service
Armed Forces Reserve medal With 1 ‘M’ Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Airman of the Year, 927th Tactical Airlift Wing 1992
Academic Distinguished Graduate, Civil Engineer Management Craftsman Course, 1996
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant March 1, 2014
(Current as of September 2023)