Chief Master Sergeant Ian M. Neske is the Command Chief, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. As the wing’s Senior Enlisted Leader, he is the primary advisor to the commander on all matters concerning operations, readiness, quality of life and professional development for 3,400 Airmen and their families. His leadership is essential to the appropriate employment of the F-35 and F-16 weapons platforms and supporting infrastructure. The wing supports Pacific Air Forces and Northern Command by delivering lethal airpower to Combatant Commanders in defense of national military objectives.
Chief Neske entered the Air Force in 2001 as an F-16 Avionics Systems Apprentice. After completing basic and technical training he went on to perform F-16 and F-35 maintenance throughout four MAJCOMs. During this time, he supported multiple mission sets including Test & Evaluation, Aggressors and the Combat Air Force. As an NCO he developed the Air Force’s newest Airmen as he transformed more than six-hundred civilians as a Military Training Instructor. He also had a unique opportunity to work with the Defense Contract Management Agency supervising contractor maintenance for eleven programs throughout Europe and the Middle East. Prior to Chief Neske’s assignment with the 354th Fighter Wing, he was the Senior Enlisted Leader, 52nd Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Chief Neske’s deployments include operations in support of IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, activity in the Horn of Africa and operations across the Pacific.
EDUCATION
2001 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2004 Airman Leadership School, Eglin AFB, Florida
2008 Associate in Applied Science of Avionic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2009 Military Training Instructor School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2010 Associate in Applied Science of Instruction in Technology & Military Studies, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, by Correspondence
2013 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
2015 Bachelor of Science degree Business Administration and Management, American Military University
2018 SNCO Academy, Gunter Annex, Alabama
2022 Chief Leadership Academy, Gunter Annex, Alabama
2025 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by Correspondence
2026 Command Chief & Command Team Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2002 – January 2005, Avionics Journeyman, 46th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida
2. January 2005 – January 2006, Avionics Craftsman, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea
3. January 2006 – January 2009, Avionics Craftsman & Quality Assurance, 57th Maintenance Group, Nellis AFB, Nevada
4. January 2009 – December 2010, Military Training Instructor, 331st Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
5. December 2010 – January 2013, Military Training Instructor & Asst NCOIC BMT Reception Center, 737th Training Support Squadron, Lackland AFB Texas
6. January 2013 – Jun 2017, Support Section Chief & Specialist Section Chief & Production Superintendent, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
7. June 2017 – May 2018, Production Superintendent, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada
8. May 2018 – September 2019, Quality Assurance Superintendent, 57th Maintenance Group, Nellis AFB, Nevada
9. Sept 2019 – June 2022, Europe Region Superintendent & Government Ground Representative, Defense Contract Management Agency – Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany
10. June 2022 – May 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Eielson AFB, Alaska
11. May 2023 – August 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 356th Fighter Generation Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
12. August 2024 – June 2026 Senior Enlisted Leader, 52nd Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
13. June 2026 – Present, Command Chief, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air & Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air & Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic July 2, 2001
Airman August 20, 2001
Airman First Class January 15, 2002
Senior Airman December 1, 2004
Staff Sergeant August 1, 2005
Technical Sergeant November 1, 2011
Master Sergeant February 1, 2016
Senior Master Sergeant February 1, 2019
Chief Master Sergeant November 1, 2021
(Current as of July 2026)