Chief Master Sergeant Kurt K. Uchimura

Chief Master Sergeant Kurt K. Uchimura is the Command Chief for the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. CMSgt Uchimura advises the Wing Commander on all matters relating to military readiness, mission effectiveness, professional development, morale, welfare, training, and good order and discipline for the Wing’s over 2500 assigned personnel. Chief Uchimura performs as the functional manager for the First Sergeants and Group Superintendents within the wing and serves as the commander’s representative on councils, boards, and selected events within the military and civilian communities.

CMSgt Uchimura was born and raised in Hawaii and graduated from Pearl City High School. He entered the Air Force in December 1986. While serving as a Fuels Specialist, CMSgt Uchimura was stationed overseas in England before returning stateside to California prior to transferring to the Hawaii Air National Guard in 1991. In February 2000 he retrained to become an Aircraft Loadmaster. His enlisted leadership background includes roles in the National Guard Bureau, Pacific Air Forces Command A5 and A3, and the 204th Airlift Squadron. His positions include Superintendent, PACAF A3 Military Personnel Appropriation Manager, Air National Guard Career Enlisted Aviator Council Chair, Air National Guard Loadmaster Functional Area Manager, and Air National Guard Career Enlisted Aviator Career Field Functional Manager. He has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Additionally, he has amassed over 4700 flying hours in the C-130H and C-17A aircraft during operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE.

EDUCATION
1987 Fuels Specialist Apprentice Course, Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
1989 Non-commissioned Officer Preparatory Military Course, Beale AFB, Calif.
1991 Fuels Laboratory Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2000 C-130 Loadmaster Initial Qualification Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2005 C-17 Loadmaster Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2006 Non-commissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2007 Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2007 C-17 Instructor Loadmaster Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2014 C-17 Loadmaster Airdrop Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2015 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Business Administration Logistics Management, Community College of the Air
Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2015 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2016 Plans Programs Budget Execution Course, Alexandria, Va.
2016 Contemporary Base Issues, Joint Base Dix McGuire, N.J.
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence
2018 Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning Execution Segments Course, JB Andrews, Md.
2021 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, JB Andrews, Md.
2022 Introduction to Space 22I, by correspondence
2022 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2023 Bachelor of Applied Science, Logistics Management, Wayland Baptist University
 
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1986 – February 1987, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. February 1987 – April 1987, Student, Technical Training School, Chanute AFB, Ill.
3. April 1987 – March 1989, Fuels Specialist, 81st Supply Squadron, Bentwaters Air Base, UK
4. March 1989 - June 1992, Fuels Specialist, 9th Supply Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
5. June 1992 – February 2000, Fuels Specialist, 154th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
6. February 2000 – September 2016, Aircraft Loadmaster, 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii
7. September 2016 – September 2018, Loadmaster Functional Manager, National Guard Bureau, JB Andrews, Md.
8. September 2018 – July 2019, Career Enlisted Aviator Career Field Functional Manager, National Guard Bureau, JB Andrews, Md.
9. July 2019 – September 2023, Squadron Senior Enlisted Advisor, 204th Airlift Squadron, JB Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii
10. September 2023 – Present, 154th Wing Command Chief, JB Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii
 
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Instructor Loadmaster
Flight hours: more than 4500
Aircraft flown: C-130E/H, C-17A
 
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
 
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Hawaii Service Medal with one Kahili
 
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1987 Distinguished Graduate, Fuels Specialist Course, Chanute AFB, Ill.
2000 Distinguished Graduate, C-130 Loadmaster Initial Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2005 Distinguished Graduate, C-17 Loadmaster Initial Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla.
2016 Pacific Air Forces A3/6 Guard/Reserve Enlisted of the Quarter April-June 2016
2016 Pacific Air Forces Enlisted Guard/Reserve Member of the Quarter April-June 2016
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air National Guard Career Enlisted Aviator Council, Council Chair, 2021
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Lifetime member
 
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Feb. 4, 1987
Sergeant June 4, 1989
Staff Sergeant Jan. 16, 1996
Technical Sergeant Dec. 8, 2002
Master Sergeant May 8, 2006
Senior Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2014
Chief Master Sergeant Sept. 7, 2018
(Current as of February 2024)