Chief Master Sergeant Toby A. Thompson is the 62nd Operations Group Superintendent, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. As the Chief Enlisted Manager, he advises the Commander on the combat readiness of three C-17A Globemaster III airlift squadrons and an operations support squadron to conduct all aspects of C-17A operations, including mission planning, allocation, execution, command and control, training, scheduling, intelligence, aircrew flight equipment, weather, and airfield operations. The group has approximately 710 authorized personnel and 48 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, providing safe and effective airlift, airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities for global combat and humanitarian contingencies. As the provider of the Prime Nuclear Airlift Forces, the 62nd OG holds the only squadron in the Department of Defense tasked to airlift nuclear and nuclear-related cargo. In addition, the 62nd OG serves as the primary active-duty unit in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE, partnering with Reserve, Guard, and civilian agencies to provide airlift support for the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Program.
Chief Thompson was born in Irving, Texas. He graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1992 and entered into the Air Force in January 1994. After graduating Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, he attended Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice training at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, and was later assigned to Altus Air Force Base, OK. In 1998, Sergeant Thompson cross-trained into the Loadmaster career field and has since been assigned to Airland, Airdrop, SOLL II, Joint Airdrop Inspector, Formal Training Unit Instructor and Evaluator positions. As a Chief Enlisted Aviator, he has accumulated over 3,916 C-17A hours, including over 536 combat hours while participating in operations in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. His combat experience includes Operations JOINT GUARD, JOINT FORCE, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE AND FREEDOM SENTINEL.
EDUCATION
2014 Bachelor of Science in Business Management - Trident University, CA
2010 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy – Maxwell AFB, AL
2010 Associate in Applied Science; Instructor in Military Science and Technology – CCAF
2009 Associate in Applied Science; Aviation Operations - CCAF
2009 Associate in Applied Science; Aircraft Maintenance Technology - CCAF
2009 Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer PME – National Defense University
2005 Non-Commissioned Officers Academy – Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1994 – 1998, C-5/C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Journeyman, 56th Airlift Squadron, Altus AFB, OK
2. 1998 – 2000, Instructor Loadmaster, 15 Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, OK
3. 2000 – 2004, SOLL II Mission Planning, 437th OGS, Charleston AFB, SC
4. 2004 – 2008, Aviation Tactics and Evaluation Unit, JSOC, Ft Bragg NC
5. 2008 – 2012, FTU Instructor Loadmaster, 58th Airlift Squadron, Altus AFB, SC
6. 2012 – 2016, QA Manager HQ AMC Air Operations Squadron Det 2, Altus AFB, OK
7. 2016 – 2018, Squadron Superintendent, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, CA
8. 2018 – 2021, Chief Enlisted Manager, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB CA
9. 2021 – Present, Group Superintendent, 62d Operations Group, Jt. Base Lewis-McChord, WA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with eleven oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating Evaluator Loadmaster
Flight Hours: 4042
Aircraft Flown: C-17
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant 1 June 2019
(Current as of April 2021)