Chief Master Sgt. Karie A. Contreras is the Command Chief, Fourth Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, California. She is the key advisor to the commander and staff on matters concerning the effective utilization, training, professional development, and combat readiness for the Reserve's long-range airlift and air-refueling units located throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Guam. The Fourth Air Force is dedicated to ensuring assigned units and personnel are properly organized, trained, equipped and ready to support national security requirements across the full spectrum of operations from war to contingency situations. The Fourth Air Force provides leadership, management, and oversight to 18 flying wings and one regional support group, which provides strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical, air refueling and associated expeditionary support activities. The Fourth Air Force’s responsibilities encompass 300 units and more than 32,000 personnel.
Chief Contreras enlisted in the Air Force in January of 1999. Throughout her career, she has served in Active Duty, Air Reserve Technician and Traditional Reservist roles supporting C-130 E/H airlift, F-35, A-10 and F-16 C/D tactical missions. She has experience in joint service operations and has participated in multiple joint interoperability exercises. Chief Contreras has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as the Command Chief at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida.
EDUCATION
1999 Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice Course, Shepperd Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Airman Leadership School, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2007 Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Airframe & Powerplant License, Federal Aviation Authority Certificate, Washington, D.C., by correspondence
2008 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2008 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2008 Aviation Safety Certificate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME I) course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Human Factors Incident Investigation Course, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, Ga.
2017 Master of Science, Aeronautics/Aviation Safety Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME II) course, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2021 Group Senior Enlisted Leader Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Chief Master Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
2024 Eurasia Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2024 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2025 Senior Leader Security Seminar, Office of Special Investigations, Alton, Va.
2026 Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. August 1999 – December 2001, Crew Chief, C-130 AWADS, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
2. January 2002 – February 2004, Flying Crew Chief, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
3. March 2004 – November 2007, Dedicated Crew Chief, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
4. December 2007 – December 2008, Squadron Programs Manager, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. January 2009 – September 2012, AMXS Craftsman, 94th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
6. October 2012 – December 2016, Aero Repair NCOIC, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
7. January 2017 – July 2017, Interim First Sergeant, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
8. August 2017 – September 2018, Aero Repair NCOIC, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
9. October 2018 – September 2021, Superintendent, 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
10. October 2021 – June 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 482d Maintenance Group, Homestead ARB, Fla.
11. June 2023 – July 2025, Command Chief, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
12. July 2025 – May 2026, Command Chief, 482d Fighter Wing, Homestead ARB, Fla.
13. June 2026 – Present, Command Chief, Fourth Air Force, March ARB, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
(Current as of June 2026)