Chief Master Sergeant Samuel S. Couch is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 90th Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. He is the primary advisor to the commander in support of over 4,200 military, civilian and contract personnel that provide strategic nuclear deterrence by operating, maintaining, securing and supporting 15 missile alert facilities and 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles constantly ready to launch at the direction of the President of the United States.
Chief Couch entered the Air Force in December 1989. His background includes leadership positions in the aircraft maintenance field at the unit, squadron, and group level. The Chief's assignments include state-side bases in North Carolina, Florida, and Wyoming. He also served overseas at bases in Alaska, Japan, South Korea, and England, and has deployed in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch and Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
Prior to assuming his current position, the Chief served as the Superintendent of the 1st Special Operation Maintenance Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
EDUCATION:
1994 Airman Leadership School, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
1998 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
1999 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL
2001 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Course
2005 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 Chief's Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2011 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2014 USAF Enterprise Management Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. December 1989 - February 1990, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. February 1990 - May 1990, Student, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
3. May 1990 - August 1990, Student, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Course, Tyndall AFB, FL
4. September 1990 - September 1993, Assistant Crew Chief, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK
5. September 1993 - October 2003, Dedicated Crew Chief, 334th Fighter Squadron; Quality Assurance Inspector, 4th Operation's Group; Inspection Section Dock Chief, Aircraft Section Chief and Production Superintendent, 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC (January - May 2003, Deployed Production Superintendent, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
6. October 2003 - October 2006, Lead Production Superintendent, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
7. November 2006 - November 2007, Assistant Superintendent, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
8. December 2007 - September 2009, Assistant Superintendent, 333rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, then Superintendent, 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC (April - August 2009, Deployed Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan)
9. October 2009 - September 2012, Superintendent, 492nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and then Superintendent, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England (April - Sept 2010, Deployed Strike Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan)
10. September 2012 - May 2014, Superintendent, 1st Special Operation Maintenance Group, Hurlburt Field, FL
11. May 2014 - Present, Command Chief, 90th Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren AFB, WY
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1990 Honor Graduate, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Course
1992 Below the Zone Promotion to Senior Airman
2001 John J. Welch Jr. Award for Acquisition Excellence
2001 Academic Excellence, Senior NCO Academy Correspondence Course
2007 51st Fighter Wing Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
2008 4th Fighter Wing Lt. Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Trophy
2011 Summa Cum Laude, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Chief Master Sergeant, May 2009
(Current as of May 2014)