Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Vaden is the Command Chief, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base-Gunter Annex, Alabama. He is responsible to the 42nd Air Base Wing commander for expeditionary readiness, professional development, effective utilization, and mission effectiveness of the base’s enlisted Airmen. He directs all base enlisted recognition and professional development programs and advises the commander on all matters affecting the health, morale, welfare, discipline, and fitness of enlisted personnel. He provides guidance and expertise in enlisted force leadership to two group and seven squadron commanders as well as 10 staff agency chiefs. He is responsible for the quality of life for more than 4,685 assigned military and civilian personnel on Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex.
Chief Vaden entered the Air Force on Feb. 13, 2001, and throughout his career he has filled numerous leadership roles in the civil engineer career field at the squadron, group, major command, and joint levels. He also has multiple combat deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Iraqi Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel and NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.
Prior to his current assignment, Chief Vaden was the senior enlisted leader for Air University’s International Affairs Office and International Officer School. He served as the senior enlisted advisor to the director of International Affairs Office and to the commandant of the International Officer School on matters influencing worldwide engagements, reinforcing the United States’ strong and adaptive global relationships, focusing on strategic integrated deterrence. He also advised on readiness, morale, welfare, training, discipline, effective utilization, professional development, force structure and deployments for all enlisted and officer personnel.
EDUCATION
2004 Emergency Medical Technician Certification, Mississippi Gulfport Community College, Miss. 2004 Airman Leadership School, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2009 Associate Degree, Construction Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kadena Air Base, Japan
2010 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, National Defense University, Washington, D.C., by correspondence
2010 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Professional Manager Certification, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Bachelor of Science, Strategic Leadership, Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan.
2012 Organizational Leadership Certification, Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan.
2012 Marine Corps Staff Noncommissioned Officer Advanced Course, Camp Hansen, Japan
2014 Civil Engineer Superintendent Course, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 Contingency Wartime Planners Course, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Contingency Engineer Command, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, National Defense University, Washington, D.C., by correspondence
2018 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
February 2001 – March 2001, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
March 2001 – July 2001, Technical Training, 364th Training Squadron, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
July 2001 – November 2004, Heavy Equipment Operator Journeyman, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
November 2004 – November 2005, Heavy Equipment Operator Journeyman, 554th RED HORSE Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea
November 2005 – May 2007, Heavy Equipment Operator Craftsman, 75th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
May 2007 – March 2010, Noncommissioned officer in charge Heavy Equipment Section, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
March 2010 – August 2012, NCOIC Airfield and Munitions Area Maintenance Section, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
August 2012 – February 2013, Superintendent, Commander Support Staff, and Interim First Sergeant, 18th Civil Engineer Group, Kadena AB, Japan
August February 2013 – March 2014, NCOIC Horizontal Repair, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan
March 2014 – April 2017, Pacific Air Forces Engineer Readiness, Functional Area Manager, and Contingency Planner, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
May 2017 – June 2019, Squadron Superintendent, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
June 2019 – June 2021 Superintendent, 28th Mission Support Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
June 2021 – May 2022, Command Chief, 461st Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
June 2022 – May 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, International Affairs and International Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
May 2023-– present, Command Chief, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic Feb. 13, 2001
Airman First Class March 30, 2001
Senior Airman Jan. 30, 2003
Staff Sergeant Aug. 1, 2004
Technical Sergeant July 1, 2008
Master Sergeant June 1, 2012
Senior Master Sergeant March 1, 2015
Chief Master Sergeant Dec. 1, 2017
(Current as of July 31, 2023)