Chief Master Sergeant Michael J Coughenour is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 153d Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard. He serves as the principal advisor to the Wing Commander on personnel issues affecting the force. Chief Coughenour provides advice on military readiness, morale, quality of life, professional development and career progression along with the effective utilization of more than 1,300 personnel across 20 squadrons. In addition, he offers the enlisted perspective on key defense initiatives such as the State Partnership Program, aerial firefighting, aero-medical evacuation unit, a command and control mission, and a combat air operations squadron.
CMSgt Coughenour entered the Air Force July 1999. He graduated from the Security Forces Apprentice Course at Lackland Air Force Base September 2000. CMSgt Coughenour returned to the 153rd Security Forces Squadron where he deployed numerous times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CMSgt Coughenour also served in numerous different career fields within the Wyoming Air National Guard. He has been a certified Production Recruiter, Knowledge Operations Management Craftsman and Security Forces. CMSgt Coughenour transitioned to the 153d Command and Control Squadron in 2007. He would play an integral part in the activation of the 253d Command and Control Group and 3 subordinate squadrons in 2020. CMSgt Coughenour also served as a primary liaison to United States Northern Command and Air Force Global Strike Command for the 253d Command and Control Group, assisting in working strategic planning and requirements. He was selected to be detailed to Air Force Global Strike Command A3C to assist with strategic policy and guidance creation for unique mission sets in 2023. In 2024, he transitioned to become the Group Senior Enlisted Leader for the 253d Command and Control Group. In January of 2025 he assumed the role of the 153d Airlift Wing Command Chief.
EDUCATION
2001 Urban Warfare level 2 Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
2002 Tactical Automated Surveillance School Indian Springs, Nevada
2002 Security Forces Journeymen course by correspondence.
2003 Airman Leadership School by correspondence
2005 Graduate Production Recruiter Course Lackland AFB, Texas
2008 Security Forces Seven Level Course by correspondence
2011 Graduate Knowledge Operations Management Course Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2012 Knowledge Operations Craftsman Course by correspondence2015
2015 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy by correspondence.
2016 Simunitions Training instructor Camp Guernsey, Wyoming
2018 MADS-K instructor Course Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
2018 Senior Non-Commissioned officer Academy by correspondence.
ASSIGNMENTS
September 2000-Feb 2005 Security Forces Patrolman 153rd SFS Wyoming Air National Guard
Feb 2005- Jun 2007 Production Recruiter 153rd FSS Wyoming Air National Guard
Jun 2007-Apr 2011 Security Force Flight Sergeant 153d CACS
Apr 2011-.May 2014 Knowledge Operations Management 153d CACS Commander’s Support Staff
May 2014-Mar 2016 NCOIC Commander’s Support Staff 153d CACS
Mar 2016-Aug 2018 Security Forces Flight Chief 153d CACS
Aug 2018-May 2022 Security Forces Superintendent 153d CACS/253d SFS
May 2022-May 2024 Security Forces Senior Enlisted Leader 253d SFS
May 2024-Jan 2025 Senior Enlisted Leader 253d Command and Control Group
Jan 2025- Present Wing Command Chief 153d Airlift Wing
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with four oak leaf clusters
Wyoming National Guard Meritorious Achievement Medal
Wyoming National Guard Outstanding Service Ribbon
Wyoming National Guard Exceptional Achievement Ribbon
Wyoming National Guard Service Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2000 Distinguished Graduate Security Forces Apprentice Course
2005 Distinguished Graduate Production Recruiter Academy
2011 Top Graduate Knowledge Operations Management Course
2018 153d Airlift Wing SNCO of the Quarter (4th Quarter)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 26 May 2000
Senior Airman 30 Jun 2001
Staff Sergeant 05 Nov 2003
Technical Sergeant 05 Feb 2006
Master Sergeant 14 Jan 2016
Senior Master Sergeant 03 Dec 2019
Chief Master Sergeant 01 Apr 2024
(Current as of February 2025)