CMSgt Martin Castillo is the Command Chief, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The wing’s mission is to provide rapid global mobility and operate the Air Force’s premier power projection platform, the C-130J. The wing conducts tactical, combat, and contingency airlift to include humanitarian relief all around the world. Chief Castillo advises the commander and senior leadership on military readiness, mission effectiveness, professional development, morale and welfare of the wing’s 1,200 combat- ready personnel, who operate, maintain, and sustain 28 C-130J aircraft. Additionally, he serves as the commander’s representative on numerous councils, committees, and civilian functions.
CMSgt Castillo entered basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in January 2002 and graduated as a Biomedical Equipment Technician at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in February 2003. He has extensive leadership experience having served in multiple positions at the Group, Squadron, and Flight level to include serving as a First Sergeant. His stateside assignments include bases in California, Colorado, and Idaho as well as overseas assignments that include bases in Germany, Korea, Turkey, and Alaska. CMSgt Castillo has deployed to Kirkut Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan as well as Camp Spann, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Prior to his current assignment, Chief Castillo served as the Senior Enlisted Leader, 673d Medical Group, 673d Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
EDUCATION
2006 Associate Degree, Biomedical Equipment Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Alabama
2006 Airman Leadership School, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2011 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Kapuan Air Station, Germany
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, by correspondence
2013 Bachelors of Science, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana
2013 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Course 12, by correspondence
2015 Professional Manager Certification, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2015 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
2016 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
2017 Associate Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Alabama
2020 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Alabama
2020 Combined Senior Leadership Course, Defense Health Headquarters, Virginia
2021 Group Superintendent Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2021 Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute Capstone, Defense Health Headquarters, Virginia
2021 Masters of Business Administration, with emphasis on Leadership, Southern New Hampshire University
2023 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington D.C.
2023 Joint Warrant Officer Advance Course, New Zealand Defense College, Wellington, New Zealand
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2002 - February 2002, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. February 2002 - February 2003, Student, Biomedical Equipment Technician School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. February 2003 - October 2003, Biomedical Equipment Apprentice, 752nd Medical Group, March Air Reserve Base, California
4. October 2003 - July 2008, Biomedical Equipment Craftsman, 10th Medical Support Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. (January 2007 - May 2007, Medical Maintenance Program Manager, Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan) (September 2007 - February 2008, Biomedical Equipment Craftsman, Kirkut AB, Iraq)
5. August 2008 - August 2009, Biomedical Equipment Craftsman, 8th Medical Support Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
6. August 2009 - August 2013, NCOIC, Clinical Maintenance, 86th Medical Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany (May 2012 - October 2012, Afghan National Army Biomedical Equipment Advisor, Regional Support Command-North, Afghanistan)
7. August 2013 - November 2014, Superintendent, 39th Medical Support Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey
8. December 2014 - March 2016, Medical Logistics Flight Chief, 366th Medical Support Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
9. April 2016 - December 2017, First Sergeant, 726th Air Control Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
10. December 2017 - June 2018, First Sergeant, 366th Security Forces Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
11. July 2018 - August 2019, First Sergeant, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, Travis AFB, California
12. August 2019 - July 2020, Medical Logistics Flight Superintendent, 60th Medical Support Squadron, AMC 4A2X1 Functional Manager, Travis AFB, California
13. July 2020 - March 2021, Superintendent, 60th Inpatient Operations Squadron; AMC 4A2X1 Functional Manager, Travis AFB, California
14. March 2021 - April 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 51st Medical Group, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
15. May 2022 - June 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 673d Medical Group & Senior Enlisted Leader, DHA Alaska Market, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
16. June 2024 - Present, Command Chief, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal, five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal, three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 United States Air Force Academy First Term Airman of the Year
2006 Academic Award, United States Air Force Academy Airman Leadership School
2010 United States Air Force Biomedical Equipment Technician Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2013 39th Medical Group Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2014 United States Air Forces in Europe Air Force Medical Service SNCO Leadership Award
2015 Distinguished Graduate, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2015 366th Fighter Wing Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2017 552nd Air Control Wing First Sergeant of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class October 7, 2003
Senior Airman February 20, 2005
Staff Sergeant April 1, 2007
Technical Sergeant July 2, 2010
Master Sergeant July 1, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant February 1, 2017
Chief Master Sergeant November 1, 2019
(Current as of June 2024)