Chief Master Sergeant Heather L. Kirschner serves as Senior Enlisted Leader for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific located at Yokota Air Base, Japan and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Comprised of forty personnel, the units execute missions in support of the Department of Defense and Air Force strategic communication initiatives, Presidential support, civic outreach, international partnership building, recruiting, and troop support. Sergeant Kirschner is the principal advisor to the Commander on good order and discipline, health and wellness, readiness, professional development, and training of the unit’s enlisted personnel.
Originally from Allegany New York, Sergeant Kirschner graduated from Baldwin-Wallace University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 1996 and attended Indiana University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Performance. She entered the Air Force in 1998 and has performed in leadership roles within numerous Air Force Regional Band units.
After attending the First Sergeant Academy in 2016, Sergeant Kirschner served for over four years as First Sergeant for the 60th Force Support Squadron and 60th Mission Support Group Staff, the 60th Medical Support Squadron and 60th Medical Group Staff, Travis Air Force Base, California, the 51st Munitions Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea, and the 502d Communications Squadron and 502d Installation Support Group Staff, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. In 2023, she deployed as Senior Enlisted Leader for the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron at Air Base 201, Niger in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM-JUNIPER SHIELD. Prior to her current position, Sergeant Kirschner served as Senior Enlisted Leader with the USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Music, Euphonium Performance, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio
1998 Performer’s Certificate, Euphonium, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
2002 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas
2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas
2013 Associate Degree, Fine Art and Instrumental Music, CCAF, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2014 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Senior Joint Enlisted Professional Military Education Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2024 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1998 – November 2010, Regional Band Craftsman, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas
(April 2008 – July 2008, Regional Band Craftsman, AFCENT Band, Qatar)
2. November 2010 – July 2013, Regional Band Craftsman, Warner Robins AFB, Ga.
3. July 2013 – April 2016, Regional Band Craftsman, Travis AFB, Calif.
4. April 2016 – December 2018, First Sergeant, Travis AFB, Calif.
5. January 2018 – January 2019, First Sergeant, Osan AB, Korea
6. February 2019 – July 2020, First Sergeant, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
7. July 2020 – August 2021, Superintendent, Travis AFB, Calif.
8. August 2021 – December 2023, Superintendent, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas
(January 2023 – June 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, Niger)
9. January 2024 – August 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas
10. August 2024 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 USAF Band of the West, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2005 USAF Band of the West, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2007 USAF Band of the West, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2012 U.S. Band of the Air Force Reserve, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2019 502d Air Base Wing, First Sergeant of the Year
2020 502d Air Base Wing, Installation Support Group, Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
2021 USAF Band of the Golden West, Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2022 USAF Band of the West, Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2023 The Colonel George S. Howard Citation for Musical Excellence
2023 502d Air Base Wing, Wing Staff Agency, Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Aug 1, 2024
(Current as of August 2024)