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CMSgt Aaron F. Gatterdam is the Command Chief Master
Sergeant for the Headquarters Illinois Air National Guard, Camp Lincoln,
Springfield, Illinois. Responsibilities include advice and counsel to
the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, the Wing Commanders, and Wing
CCM's on the concerns of the enlisted force. CMSgt Gatterdam maintains a
liaison relationship with the Army State Command Sergeant Major on
issues related to both the Army Guard and Air Guard.
Chief Gatterdam was born 16 September 1965 in
Whittier California. He graduated from Glenbrook North High School in
Northbrook, IL in 1984 and received a BS degree in Law Enforcement from
Western Illinois University in 1989. He completed the School of Police
Staff and Command at Northwestern University in 2004. He accomplished
the NCO Academy in August 1996 and the Senior NCO Academy in June 2000.
Chief Gatterdam entered the 126th Air Refueling Wing,
O'Hare Air Reserve Station Illinois in August 1984. He graduated from
the Air Force Security Specialist Technical School at Lackland AFB in
San Antonio, Texas in February 1985 and was assigned to the 126th
Security Police Squadron where he worked full time as an Active Guard
Reserve (AGR) member for approximately eight years. In June 1995, Chief
Gatterdam graduated from Education and Training Manager Specialist
School at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas and began working with the
126th Mission Support Flight in the Base Training Office. In July 1998
and April 1999, he attended the USAF Special Operations School at
Hurlburt Field, Florida. In April 1999, Chief Gatterdam was selected as
First Sergeant for Headquarters, 126th Air Refueling Wing and
subsequently graduated from the USAF First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell
AFB Alabama a year later. From 1999 through 2008, he was also assigned
to augment the Logistics Readiness Squadron during contingency build up
operations responsible for moving, staging and loading cargo onto
aircraft. In April 2006, Chief Gatterdam was selected to serve as the
Human Resources Advisor for the 126th Air Refueling Wing located at
Scott AFB, IL where he continued in that role until he was selected to
become the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Illinois Air National
Guard.
In August 1990, Chief Gatterdam was mobilized with
European Tanker Task Force, and later served under the 2nd Bomb Wing at
Moron Air Base, Spain during Operation Desert Shield. In February 1991,
Chief Gatterdam was again mobilized and assigned to the 90th Missile
Security Squadron, FE Warren AFB, WY for the duration of Operation
Desert Storm. In the summer of 1993, he was called to State Active Duty,
for flood duty along the Mississippi River in Quincy, IL. In July 1997,
he deployed to Pisa Air Base, Italy under Operation Joint Guard in
support of the NATO Bosnia Stabilization Force. In June 1999, Chief
Gatterdam assisted with the Base Realignment and Closure Committee
(BRAC) directed relocation of the 126th Air Refueling Wing from O'Hare
International Airport Air Reserve Station, Chicago, IL to Scott Air
Force Base, IL. In November 1999, he deployed to Istres Air Base, France
under Operation Joint Forge, again in support of the NATO Bosnia
Stabilization Force. In June 2002, Chief Gatterdam deployed to Aaburg
Air Base, Denmark as part of NATO's Operation Clean Hunter and in
December 2002, he deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey as part of
Operation Enduring Freedom's 385th Air Expeditionary Group. June 2004,
he was sent to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska to participate in NORAD�s
Operation Northern Edge and in March 2005 he was deployed to Anderson
Air Force Base, Guam under Operation Enduring Freedom with the 506th
Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. In November 2006, Chief Gatterdam
again deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey as part of Operation
Enduring Freedom�s 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. Chief
Gatterdam was again called to State Active Duty in the summer of 2008
for Mississippi Flood Duty and was assigned to Task Force South in
Pleasant Hill, IL. Chief Gatterdam was selected as Outstanding First
Sergeant of the Year for the 126 ARW in 2002 and later served as served
as President of the 126th ARW First Sergeant�s Council from 2003 to
2005. Chief Gatterdam has been awarded The Meritorious Service Medal
(1OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal (1OLC), the Air Force Achievement
Medal (1OLC), the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2OLC), the Air
Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the
Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service award, the
AF Longevity Service award, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, USAF NCO PME
Graduate award, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship award, various
Illinois state ribbons.
Chief Gatterdam has been with the Lyons Police
Department in Lyons, Illinois since April 1995. He started as a
patrolman and has worked as Detective, Crime Scene Investigator, Field
Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Rifle/Carbine Instructor and
Juvenile Officer. He was promoted to Sergeant and currently serves as a
patrol division Watch Commander. He also has served as President of
Lyons Police Pension Fund.
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