Chief Colin A. Fleck is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. He serves as principal advisor to the commander on all matters regarding the morale, welfare, professional development, and combat readiness of over 6,700 Air Commandos and their families. His wing provides specialized airpower and agile combat support capabilities to operational commanders conducting special operations missions around the world, including direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, personnel recovery, psychological operations, and information operations.
Chief Fleck entered the Air Force in 2002 and his background includes various duties in the Personnel, Aerial Gunner, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator, and Special Mission Aviator career fields. He has served on the AC-130U and AC-130H Gunships, as well as the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper along with various senior enlisted positions including as an Assignment Functional Manager and multiple assignments as a Squadron and Group Senior Enlisted Leader. Prior to assuming his current position he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
EDUCATION
2002 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX
2002 Personnel Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS
2004 Basic Aerial Gunner Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
2006 Airman Leadership School, Hurlburt Field, FL
2009 Associate Degree, Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL
2013 Bachelor of Arts, Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies, Henley-Putnam University, Santa Clara, CA
2014 Basic Sensor Operator Course, Randolph AFB, TX
2015 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
2018 Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, Joint Special Operations University, MacDill AFB, FL
2019 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
2020 Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME II), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation, Maxwell AFB, AL
2022 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
2022 Middle East Asia Regional Studies, Alan L. Freed Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C.
2022 Continuous Innovation and Improvement for Executives, Institute for Defense and Business, Duke Univ, Chapel Hill, NC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002 – April 2005, Personnel Technician, 75th Mission Support Squadron, Hill Air Force Base (AFB), UT
2. April 2005 – May 2011, AC-130U Aerial Gunner, 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
3. May 2011 – January 2013, AC-130U Evaluator Aerial Gunner, 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, FL
4. January 2013 – December 2013, Flight Chief/AC-130H Instructor Aerial Gunner, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
5. January 2014 – April 2015, Operations Superintendent/MQ-1 Sensor Operator, 3d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
6. April 2015 – August 2016, Squadron Superintendent/MQ-9 Sensor Operator, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
7. August 2016 – April 2018, 1U0/1U1/1A3 Functional Manager, Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base (JB) San Antonio-Randolph, TX
8. April 2018 - August 2020, Chief Enlisted Manager, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
9. August 2020 - June 2022, Superintendent, 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, FL
10. June 2022 - July 2023, Command Chief, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, NM
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Personnel Apprentice Course
2003 Hill Air Force Base Personnel Manager of the Year
2004 Distinguished Graduate, Basic Aerial Gunner Course
2005 Distinguished Graduate, AC-130U Aerial Gunner Qualification Course
2006 John L. Levitow Honor Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2011 John L. Levitow Honor Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2017 USAF Henry E. “Red” Erwin Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year
(Current as of Jul 2023)