CMSgt Donald W. Stroud II is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Chief Stroud is the senior enlisted leader of a composite wing comprised of air mobility; aeromedical evacuation; close air support; electronic attack; and command and control assets in support of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. He serves as a trusted advisor to the wing commander on matters affecting current and future combat operations, including the health, morale, welfare, discipline, and effective utilization of more than 2,400 Total Force Airmen and civilians assigned across five groups, and various forward operating locations throughout Afghanistan. Chief Stroud also serves as the senior enlisted Air Force liaison between the wing, joint, and coalition senior enlisted leaders, influencing combined joint policies and procedures at Bagram Airfield and throughout Afghanistan.
Chief Master Sergeant Stroud was raised in Southern Indiana. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1988 and enlisted in the Air Force in March 1991. He completed Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. After graduation, he attended the F-16 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice course at Sheppard AFB, Texas.
His background includes various leadership positions at Wing, Group, Squadron and Unit levels. During his career, he has been stationed at locations in Germany, Texas, South Korea, Arizona, Utah and Afghanistan. Before assuming his current position, he served as the Command Chief, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB where he was an essential leader in the maturation of the F-35A and the aircraft’s first combat deployment.
EDUCATION
1991 Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Course
1998 Airman Leadership School
1999 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Craftsman Course
2002 CCAF degree in Aircraft Maintenance Tech
2004 CCAF degree in Instructor in Tech for Military Science
2005 NCO Academy, in-residence
2006 Senior NCO Academy, Correspondence
2008 USAF Senior NCO Academy, in-residence
2016 Executive Leadership, Chapel Hill, UNC
2016 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation
2017 Continuous Process Improvement for Executive Leaders
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1991 - May 1991, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB
2. May 1991 - September 1991, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Course, Sheppard AFB
3. September 1991 - September 1993, Assistance Crew Chief, 512th FS, Ramstein AB, GE
4. September 1993 - July 1996, Dedicated Crew Chief, 63rd FS, Luke AFB
5. July 1996- July 1997, Dedicated Crew Chief, 80th FS, Kunsan AB, ROK
6. July 1997- September 2002, Flightline Expediter, 309th FS, Luke AFB
7. September 2002- December 2005, Instructor Supervisor 7 Level Course, Sheppard AFB
8. January 2006- January 2007, Production Superintendent, 36th AMU, Osan AB, ROK
9. January 2007 – May 2014, F-35 Superintendent, 56th AMXS, Luke AFB
10. May 2014 – May 2015, F-35 Integration Office Superintendent, 388th FW, Hill AFB
11. May 2015 – May 2016, 34th Acft Maintenance Unit Superintendent, Hill AFB
12. May 2016 – May 2018, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB
13. May 2018 – present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal w/ one bronze oak leaf cluster
Commendation Medal w/ one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal w/ two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/ one silver oak leaf and one bronze oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1998 Distinguished Graduate ALS, Luke AFB
1999 309th FS NCO of the Year Award
2000 309th FS Lt. Gen Leo Marquez Award
2002 Graduate Pitsenbarger Award
2006 51st AMXS Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award
2008 756th AMXS Lt General Leo Marquez Award
2009 AETC General Lew Allen Award
2010 756th AMXS Lt General Leo Marquez Award
2011 AETC General Lew Allen Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic 20 Mar 1991
Airman 20 Sep 1991
Airman 1st Class 20 Jul 1992
Senior Airman 20 Mar 1994
Staff Sergeant 01 May 1998
Technical Sergeant 01 Apr 2003
Master Sergeant 01 Jul 2006
Senior Master Sergeant 01 Dec 2010
Chief Master Sergeant 01 Jun 2014
(Current as of May 2018)