Chief Master Sgt. John B. McAlister II is currently the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 186th Air Operations Group, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi, where he adds value to the group’s leadership team and the Air Operations Group enterprise by providing the commander with information regarding the operational effectiveness of the Group as well as the training and equipping of Airmen to carry out the wing’s mission. The 186th AOG directly supports the Continental United States North America Aerospace Defense Region, First Air Force, and Air Forces Northern, CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Chief McAlister’s subject matter expertise contributes to the 186th AOG which provides a mission ready Air National Guard augmentation force to CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH) in their role as the Air Component to US NORTHERN COMMAND and NORAD to organize, equip, and operate Air Force support of homeland defense, homeland security, and defense support to civil authorities.
McAlister began his Air Force career immediately after high school in June 1989. He attended Electronic Warfare Specialist School at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, graduating as a recognized student leader of his student squadron in February 1991. In June 1992, he returned to Keesler for cross-training as a Guidance and Control Specialist, due to a restructuring of the 186th Maintenance Squadrons aircraft. He has spent most of his career assigned to the 186th Maintenance Squadron at Key Field ANGB. He has had short term deployments to both Guam and Bahrain. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the support of operations such as Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. In December 2013 he was chosen as the First Sergeant for the 186th Maintenance Squadron. As a First Sergeant, he deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel. He was also known for working state side in the cleanup and recovery efforts of hurricanes and other natural disasters. In October 2017, he was reassigned to the 186th Mission Support Group First Sergeant position. Here he worked alongside squadron First Sergeants, providing guidance and mentorship. In 2019, McAlister transitioned into the 186th Air Refueling Wing First Sergeant position. He played a crucial part of the Wing leadership team and was the facilitator for the Wing’s First Sergeant program. In 2022, McAlister accepted a position with the 186th Air Maintenance Operations Squadron and served as Maintenance Squadron Superintendent.
Prior to his current position, McAlister was the Maintenance Squadron Superintendent for the 186th Air Maintenance Operations Squadron, Key Field ANGB, Meridian, Mississippi.
EDUCATION
1995 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course, by correspondence
1996 Associates Degree in Practical Nursing, Meridian Community College, Meridian, Miss.
1998 NCO Leadership Course Keesler AFB, Miss.
2000 Basic Fire Fighter 1001-I-II, Mississippi State Fire Academy, Pearl, Miss.
2005 Fire Officer 1021-I-II, Mississippi Fire Academy, Pearl, Miss.
2009 USAF NCO Academy, by correspondence
2011 Fire Ground Leadership Course, Mississippi Fire Academy, Pearl, Miss.
2011 Fire Department Safety Officer Course, Mississippi Fire Academy, Pearl, Miss.
2014 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 USAF Senior NCO Academy, by correspondence
2016 Associates Degree in Avionic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Associates Degree in Human Resource Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2025 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, MD
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1989 - February 1990, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1990 – February 1991, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. February 1991- January 1993, Electronic Counter Measures Specialist, 186th Maintenance Group, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
4. January 1993- August 1993, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
5. August 1993- November 2013, Guidance and Control Specialist, 186th Maintenance Group, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
6. October 2013 – October 2017, First Sergeant 186th Maintenance Squadron, Key Field ANGB, Miss. (April 2016 – October 2016, First Sergeant 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, Southwest Asia)
7. October 2017 - April 2019, First Sergeant 186th Mission Support Group, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
8. April 2019 – November 2022, First Sergeant 186th Air Refueling Wing, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
9. November 2022- August 2025, Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent 186th Air Mobility Operations Squadron, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
10. August 2025 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 186th Air Operations Group, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Mississippi Soldier of Year/Outstanding Airmen
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2015 186th Air Refueling Wing First Sergeant of the Year
2016 Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year Mississippi Air National Guard
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Lifetime Member of the NCO Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic June 03, 1989
Airman Aug. 06, 1990
Airman First Class Feb. 06, 1991
Senior Airman Dec. 04, 1993
Staff Sergeant Jan. 06, 1996
Technical Sergeant Jan. 31, 2003
Master Sergeant Dec. 07, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant June 01, 2019
Chief Master Sergeant June 06, 2024
(Current as of March 2025)