Chief Master Sgt. Enrique Lopez is the Command Chief for the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California. As the Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Lopez serves as the senior enlisted advisor and commander’s critical link for over 1,000 Airmen assigned to the wing on all matters concerning mission readiness. Responsibilities include serving as the commander’s advisor on personnel programs, career progression, and development, professional military education, recognition programs, and any additional needs required by the commander. He also ensures wing members are prepared to deploy, sustaining a mission ready enlisted force for the commander.
Chief Master Sgt. Lopez was born in Lake View Terrace, Calif., and enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 2004. He graduated from the Aircrew Life Support Specialist course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in July 2004, marking the beginning of a remarkable career in the Air Force. Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Master Sgt. Lopez has held various key roles, including Aircrew Flight Equipment Program Manager for USSOUTHCOM, as a deployed Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, AFE Survival Section Supervisor, Lead Aircrew Continuation Training Instructor, an additional duty 1st Sgt., AFE Superintendent, and Group Senior Enlisted Leader. His assignments have spanned multiple bases in California, New Mexico, and Florida, and he has completed deployments in support of several major operations, including JOINT FORGE, JOINT ENTERPRISE, CORNET OAK, MARTILLO, and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, Chief Master Sgt. Lopez was the Senior Enlisted Leader, 146th Operations Group, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California.
EDUCATION
2006 Combat Survival Training Course, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
2006 Water Survival Training Course, Non- Parachuting Course, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2008 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Life Science Investigation Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2012 Air Combat Command (ACC) Classroom Instructor Course, Dyess AFB, Texas
2012 Ground Safety Orientation Course, Buckley AFB, Colo.
2013 Aircrew Flight Equipment Deployed Leadership Course, Dyess AFB, Texas
2014 USSOUTHCOM Theater Course, Canon AFB, New Mexico
2015 Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course 226, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2016 Associate’s degree, Aircrew Safety Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., by correspondence
2016 Crew Resource Management Facilitator Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2004 – May 2004, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. May 2004 – July 2004, Student, Technical Training School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. July 2004 – July 2014, Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, 115th Airlift Squadron, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif. (September 2006 – December 2006, Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar) (January 2010 – March 2010, Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, Bagram AB, Afghanistan), (February 2014 – May 2014, Aircrew Flight Equipment NCOIC, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
4. July 2014 – July 2017, Aircrew Flight Equipment Program Manager, Host Nation Rider Program, Doral, Fla.
5. July 2017 – August 2022, Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent, 146th Operations Support Squadron, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
6. August 2022 – May 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 146th Operations Group, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
7. May 2025 – Present, Acting Command Chief Master Sergeant, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
California Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster
California National Guard Federal Service with five oak leaf clusters
California Drill Attendance Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class March 02, 2004
Senior Airman October 12, 2004
Staff Sergeant September 15, 2008
Technical Sergeant February 15, 2012
Master Sergeant, July 20, 2016
Senior Master Sergeant, April 06, 2019
Chief Master Sergeant, July 01, 2023
(Current as of May 25, 2025)