Chief Master Sergeant Stephen M. Larson is the Senior Enlisted Manager for the United States Air Force’s Band of Flight. The USAF Band of Flight uses the power of music to represent The United States, Air Force Material Command, and their mission partners throughout the state of Ohio and surrounding areas. Their mission is to provide world-class ceremonial, communication, engagement, and partnership-building musical products to Honor, Inspire and Connect with the American public, Airmen and our Joint partners worldwide, and those in all levels of government.
Chief Larson was raised outside Cleveland, Ohio with a strong musical and patriotic upbringing. Before joining the Air Force, he was a member of the Canton Symphony in Canton, Ohio and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra in Erie, Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of leadership positions within the band career field to include Superintendent of Operations, Superintendent of Resources, Resources Advisor, and Media Relations. Chief Larson has also served as a Military Training Instructor and First Sergeant at the 323rd Training Squadron. He has participated in several operations and exercises as well as deployments in direct support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Music Degree, Summa Cum Laude, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
1998 Bachelor of Economics, Summa Cum Laude, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Airman Leadership School, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2007 Associate in Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force
2007 Associate in Applied Science, Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force
2008 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
2009 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy distance learning course, Air University
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, National Defense University
2011 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2016 Chief Leadership Course, Scott AFB, Illinois
2017 Chief Leadership Course, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, National Defense University
2022 Group Senior Enlisted Leader Course, Air University
ASSIGNMENTS
- Jun 1999 - Aug 1999 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
- Aug 1999 - Jun 2006 Regional Band Craftsman, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Jun 2006 - Jun 2012 Military Training Instructor, Joint Base San Antonio, TX
- Jun 2012 - Jun 2016 Regional Band Superintendent, Scott AFB, IL
- May 2014 - Nov 2014 Director of Operations, AFCENT Band, Al Udeid AFB, Qatar
- Jun 2016 - Mar 2018 Chief Enlisted Manager Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
- Mar 2018 - Present, Chief Enlisted Manager PACAF Band, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
- July 2021 - Present Chief Enlisted Manager USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal, five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal, one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2014 Air Mobility Command Public Affairs Senior NCO of the Year
2014 U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs Senior NCO of the 3rd Quarter
2013 Distinguished Graduate of the Senior NCO Academy
2011 323TRS Training Support Senior NCO of the Year
2010 737TRG Training Support Senior NCO of the Year
2003 Airmen's Leadership School John L. Levitow Award
1998 Cleveland State University Economics Major of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant October 2016
(Current as of March 2022)