Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As Command Chief, he serves as advisor to the wing commander and senior leadership concerning matters of morale, welfare, and development of the units enlisted force. He also serves as the functional manager of the wing’s first sergeants.
Chief Mertz joined the Illinois Air National Guard in April of 2000 where he was assigned to the 126th Security Forces Squadron, holding various leadership positions within the organization such as fireteam leader, squad leader, and standard/evaluations NCOIC. In 2014, Chief Mertz became the First Sergeant for the 126th Security Forces Squadron and served in that position until he was hand selected as the Wing First Sergeant. Chief Mertz has participated in Operations NOBLE EABLE, NORTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, AND INHERENT RESOLVE
Chief Mertz is a Drill Status Guardsman and currently serves as a Program Analyst for The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency with over 17 years of federal service. Prior to his current position, Chief Mertz was the 126th Operations Group Senior Enlisted Leader.
EDUCATION
2004 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2005 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Police Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Bachelor of Science Degree, Organizational Leadership, Greenville, Ill.
2010 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Associate of Applied Science Degree, Human Resource Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 ANG Chief Master Sergeants Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md
2020 Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Joint Force Staff College, Norfolk, Va., by correspondence
2020 Senior Joint PME II, Joint Force Staff College, Norfolk, Va., by correspondence
2021 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, by correspondence
2021 Masters of Business Administration, Webster University, St. Louis, Mo
2022 Senior Joint PME I, Joint Force Staff College, Norfolk VA, by Correspondence
2023 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L Freed, Washington, D.C
2024 Continuous Process Improvement for Executives, National Defense Institute, Chapel Hill, N.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
June 2000 - August 2000, Trainee, 322nd Basic Military Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
August 2000 - November 2000, Student, 343rd Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
November 2000 - May 2014, Security Forces Member, 126th Security Forces Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill
May 2014 – April 2017, First Sergeant, 126th Security Forces Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill
July 2016 – January 2017, Security Forces First Sergeant, Kuwait
April 2017 - April 2019, Wing First Sergeant, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill
April 2019 - November 2019, Inspector General Superintendent, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill
November 2019 – November 2020, MSG Group Superintendent, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill
November 2020 – August 2024, Operations Group Senior Enlisted Leader, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Iraq Campaign Medal with Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
AF Overseas Ribbon Short with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and three oak leaf clusters
AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Special Duty Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 3 'M' Devices and Silver Hourglass
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Service Star
Air Force Training Ribbon
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom
Illinois Military Long and Honorable Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon with bronze twelve
Illinois State Active Duty Service Ribbon with bronze two
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Illinois Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year 2016
126th Security Forces Squadron NCO of Year 2007
126th Security Forces Squadron AMN of Year 2001