Master Sergeant Gregory Pflugh
Master Sergeant Gregory C. Pflugh is a Regional Bandsman assigned to the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific as the Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Pflugh entered the Air Force in May 2009 following a career as a touring musician. Following completion of Basic Military Training, he was assigned to the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Sergeant Pflugh was then assigned to the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. He deployed twice with the Air Force Central Band in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, ENDURING SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE, and ALLIES WELCOME promoting morale, diplomacy, and outreach to coalition partners and embassies throughout the United States Central Command area of responsibility.
Prior to his current assignment, Sergeant Pflugh was a Professional Military Education Instructor, where he accumulated 4,000 instructor hours while preparing over 750 students to become Noncommissioned Officers during 27 Airman Leadership School classes taught at Yokota Air Base, Japan and Osan Air Base, Korea. His leadership was crucial to Yokota Airman Leadership School’s 2019 “Best in Air Force” award recognition.
EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Music Degree, Saxophone Performance, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
2014 Airman Leadership School, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2015 Associate's Degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2016 Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2017 Associate’s Degree, Instructor of Military Science and Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2018 Air Education and Training Command Basic Instructor Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2019 Additional Duty First Sergeant Symposium, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2020 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), Kadena Air Base, Japan
2021 Resiliency Trainer Course, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2021 Certified Project Officer, Institute for Project Management
2021 Continuous Process Improvement Green Belt Certification
2006 Bachelor of Music Degree, Saxophone Performance, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
2014 Airman Leadership School, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2015 Associate's Degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2016 Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2017 Associate’s Degree, Instructor of Military Science and Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2018 Air Education and Training Command Basic Instructor Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2019 Additional Duty First Sergeant Symposium, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2020 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), Kadena Air Base, Japan
2021 Resiliency Trainer Course, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2021 Certified Project Officer, Institute for Project Management
2021 Continuous Process Improvement Green Belt Certification
2023 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
2023 Air University Senior Noncommissioned Officer Foundations Course, in residence
2024 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2009 - May 2012, Regional Bandsman, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
2. May 2012 - April 2016, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan
3. April 2016 – September 2020, Professional Military Education Instructor, 374th Force Support Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
4. September 2020 – August 2025, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
1. August 2009 - May 2012, Regional Bandsman, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
2. May 2012 - April 2016, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan
3. April 2016 – September 2020, Professional Military Education Instructor, 374th Force Support Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
4. September 2020 – August 2025, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. August 2025 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
US Department of State Meritorious Honor Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal with one bronze service star
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with a Gold Border and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Developmental Special Duty Ribbon
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
US Department of State Meritorious Honor Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal with one bronze service star
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with a Gold Border and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Developmental Special Duty Ribbon
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Five-time squadron Airman of the Quarter, Three-time Directorate Airman of the Quarter
Four-time squadron, Two-time Directorate/Group Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter
Two-time squadron Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter
2010 Headquarters Air Combat Command/Public Affairs Airman of the Year
2011 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2011 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
2014 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces/Public Affairs Airman of the Year
2014 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School Class 15-A, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2015 Secretary of the Air Force/Public Affairs Musician of the Year
2018 PACAF/A1 Special Duty Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2018 Outstanding Total Force Enlisted Professional Military Education Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Wing Winner
2018 Best Presenter Award, AETC Basic Instructor Course, Class 181105B, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2019 Thomas N. Barnes Enlisted Education Award, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base Japan
2019 Outstanding Airman Leadership School of the Year Award, Best in Air Force
2020 Distinguished Graduate and Academic Achievement Award, NCOA Class 20-3, Kadena Air Base, Japan
2020 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 374th Airlift Wing, Junior Enlisted Category
2020 Air Force Band of Flight Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2021 88th Air Base Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the First Quarter, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
2021 Arthur S. Flemming Leadership Award, 88th Air Base Wing
2021 Band of Flight Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2021 88th Air Base Wing Staff Agencies Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2022 Band of Flight Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2022 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Communication Excellence Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Five-time squadron Airman of the Quarter, Three-time Directorate Airman of the Quarter
Four-time squadron, Two-time Directorate/Group Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter
Two-time squadron Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter
2010 Headquarters Air Combat Command/Public Affairs Airman of the Year
2011 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2011 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
2014 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces/Public Affairs Airman of the Year
2014 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School Class 15-A, Yokota Air Base, Japan
2015 Secretary of the Air Force/Public Affairs Musician of the Year
2018 PACAF/A1 Special Duty Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2018 Outstanding Total Force Enlisted Professional Military Education Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Wing Winner
2018 Best Presenter Award, AETC Basic Instructor Course, Class 181105B, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2019 Thomas N. Barnes Enlisted Education Award, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base Japan
2019 Outstanding Airman Leadership School of the Year Award, Best in Air Force
2020 Distinguished Graduate and Academic Achievement Award, NCOA Class 20-3, Kadena Air Base, Japan
2020 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 374th Airlift Wing, Junior Enlisted Category
2020 Air Force Band of Flight Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2021 88th Air Base Wing Noncommissioned Officer of the First Quarter, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
2021 Arthur S. Flemming Leadership Award, 88th Air Base Wing
2021 Band of Flight Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2021 88th Air Base Wing Staff Agencies Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2022 Band of Flight Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2022 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Communication Excellence Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2023 Air Force Band of Flight Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2024 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 88th Air Base Wing Staff Agencies, Senior Enlisted Category
2024 Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Communication Excellence Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2024 Air Force Band of Flight Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic 26 May 2009
Airman First Class 24 July 2009
Senior Airman 26 March 2011
Staff Sergeant 1 October 2014
Technical Sergeant 1 January 2019
Master Sergeant 1 May 2022
Airman Basic 26 May 2009
Airman First Class 24 July 2009
Senior Airman 26 March 2011
Staff Sergeant 1 October 2014
Technical Sergeant 1 January 2019
Master Sergeant 1 May 2022
(Current as of March 2025)
