She enlisted in the Air Force in March 1992 and has been stationed at locations in Oklahoma, Japan, California, Italy, New Jersey, United Kingdom and Florida. She has also deployed in support of contingency and humanitarian operations in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkmenistan and Pakistan. Chief Bender has served in additional leadership positions including Superintendent, Wing Staff Agencies, Career Assistance Advisor, and the ACC 1C3 Functional Manger.
EDUCATION
11996 Airman Leadership School, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
1999 Associates in Applied Science, Information Systems Management, Community College of the Air Force
2003 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Lackland AFB, Tex.
2006 Non-residence Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer Course
2008 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Bachelor of Applied Science, Human Resources Management, University of Maryland
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1992 - May 1992, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Tex.
2. May 1992 - July 1992, Student, Command and Control Specialist, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. July 1992 - November 1993, Emergency Actions Controller, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Okla.
4. November 1993 - November 1995, Emergency Actions Controller, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan
5. November 1995 - January 1998, Air Operations Specialist, 615th Air Mobility Operations Group, Travis AFB, Calif.
6. January 1998 - November 1999 NCOIC, Regional Air Operations Control Center, AIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy
7. November 1999 - September 2003, Sorts Analyst, 15th Air Force, Travis AFB, Calif.
8. September 2003 - October 2006, Operations Flight Chief, 818th Contingency Response Gp, McGuire AFB, N.J.
9. October 2006 - May 2008, NCOIC, Console Operations, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK
10. May 2008 - January 2010, Career Assistance Advisor, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK
11. January 2010 - October 2011, Superintendent, Command Post, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK
12. October 2011 - September 2013, Superintendent, Command Post, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. September 2013 - August 2014, MAJCOM 1C3 Functional Manager, HQ AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. August 2014 - March 2015, MAJCOM 1C3 Functional Manager, HQ ACC, Langley AFB, Va.
15. March 2015 – July 2016, Superintendent, 1st Operations Group, Langley AFB, Va.
16. July 2016 – Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Calif.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters