Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Vaden is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th
Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, Texas. He serves as the
primary advisor to the commander on all matters affecting training,
performance, discipline, safety, readiness, and health of more than 18,000
students and permanent party Airmen. He assists the commander in ensuring
the success of four primary training missions, graduating more than 85,000
students annually. The wing encompasses nine wing staff agencies, three
groups, and one Inter-American academy that operates from 10
geographically separated locations.
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 position he served as the Command Chief for the 42nd Air
Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base- Gunter Annex, Alabama.
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
1. February 2001 – March 2001, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. March 2001 – July 2001, Technical Training, 364th Training Squadron, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
3. July 2001 – November 2004, Heavy Equipment Operator Journeyman, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
4. November 2004 – November 2005, Heavy Equipment Operator Journeyman, 554th RED HORSE Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea
5. November 2005 – May 2007, Heavy Equipment Operator Craftsman, 75th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
6. May 2007 – March 2010, Noncommissioned officer in charge Heavy Equipment Section, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
7. March 2010 – August 2012, NCOIC Airfield and Munitions Area Maintenance Section, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
8. August 2012 – February 2013, Superintendent, Commander Support Staff, and Interim First Sergeant, 18th Civil Engineer Group, Kadena
AB, Japan
9. February 2013 – March 2014, NCOIC Horizontal Repair, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan
10. March 2014 – April 2017, Pacific Air Forces Engineer Readiness, Functional Area Manager, and Contingency Planner, Joint Base Pearl
Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
11. May 2017 – June 2019, Squadron Superintendent, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
12. June 2019 – June 2021 Superintendent, 28th Mission Support Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
13. June 2021 – May 2022, Command Chief, 461st Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
14. June 2022 – May 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, International Affairs and International Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. May 2023—July 2025, Command Chief, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
16. July 2025-present, Command Chief, 37th Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, Texas
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 2025)