Chief Master Sgt. Darren D. McMullen is the eighth Command Chief Master Sergeant, 186th Air Refueling Wing, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi. He represents the highest level of enlisted leadership for the wing and is an advisor to the Wing Commander. In this role, he is directly responsible for matters affecting morale, wellness, readiness, training, health, welfare, quality of life, professional development and proper utilization for the Wing’s 900 plus Air Guard members.
Chief McMullen entered the United States Air Force in August 1986. Upon completion of technical training school, he served as a crew chief on the A-10A aircraft. In February 1989, the Chief then palace chased to the Mississippi Air National Guard as an RF-4C aircraft maintenance operations controller. In May 2004, he was hired into the technician program as a KC-135R aircraft crew chief. In November 2013, he was appointed as flight chief for the 186th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where he was responsible to the Superintendent for the overall readiness of 54 Aircraft Maintenance personnel and the successful employment of 8 KC-135R aircraft for conventional and nuclear missions . He has also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Freedom Sentinel.
Prior to assuming his current position, Chief McMullen served as the 186th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi.
EDUCATION
1986 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Training, Shepard AFB, TX
1986 A-10 Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Training, England AFB, LA
1987 A-10 AMQP Able Chief Training, England AFB, LA
1989 Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Technician, England AFB, LA
1992 KC-135R Crossover Course, Key Field Air National Guard Base, MS
2007 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Correspondence)
2013 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Correspondence)
2016 Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, AL
2019 Nuclear Leadership Core Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 1986 – October 1986: Student, Basic Training; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 1986 – November 1986: Student, Aircraft Maintenance Specialist; Shepard AFB, Texas
3. November 1986 – December 1986: Student, Aircraft Maintenance Specialist A-10; England AFB, Louisiana
4. December 1986 – February 1989: A-10 Crew Chief; England AFB, Louisiana
5. February 1989 – November 1995: Production Controller (KC-135R); Key Field ANGB, Mississippi
6. March 2002 – November 2013: KC-135R Crew Chief; Key Field ANGB, Mississippi
7. November 2013 – January 2017: Flight Chief 186 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Key Field ANGB, Mississippi
8. January 2017 – Present: Superintendent 186 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Key Field ANGB, Mississippi
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with oak leaf cluster
AF Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two ‘M' Devices with oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal
Mississippi Service School Medal
Mississippi Longevity Medal with one device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 Tanker Nuclear Action Council Chair, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, IL
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of Mississippi
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic August 5, 1986
Airman February 4, 1987
Airman First Class August 3, 1987
Senior Airman February 2, 1988
Staff Sergeant February 7, 2002
Technical Sergeant December 2, 2002
Master Sergeant September 11, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant August 2, 2014
Chief Master Sergeant January 7, 2017
Command Chief Master Sergeant October 4, 2020
(Current as of September 2020)