CMSgt Nathan Neidhardt is the Chief Enlisted Manager of the 117th Air Refueling Squadron, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas. He advises the Commanders and staff on all matters influencing the health, welfare, morale, and readiness of 37 boom operators within the squadron. He integrates the efforts of the boom operators in the Air Refueling Squadron to execute Global Reach-Global Power through the mission and vision of the 190th Air Refueling Wing Commander.

CMSgt Nathan Neidhardt was born in Eldorado, Kansas and grew up in small farm town of Potwin. January 13, 2000, he enlisted in the 184th Bomb Wing (BW) as the Bench Stock Manager for the Maintenance Group. In the fall of 2002, the 184th BW became the 184th Air Refueling Wing where he was selected as an Inflight Refueling Specialist on the KC135R. In 2007, due to Base Realignment and Closure, CMSgt Neidhardt transitioned to the 190th ARW. During his time at the 190th ARW he has held the roles of NCOIC of Aircrew Training, 117th ARS Squadron Superintendent and 190th Operations Group Standards and Evaluations Q-coded boom operator.

CMSgt Neidhardt aided in multiple natural disaster relief efforts, to include Hurricanes Katrina and Maria. While performing inflight refueling duties he has participated in Operations ICELAND ALERT, ATLANTIC RESOLVE, FREEDOM SENTINEL, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE. In addition, he has deployed for theater support in the Indo-Pacific region. He is a Chief Enlisted boom operator with over 4500 flight hours in the KC135R/T as Evaluator and Instructor boom operator.

EDUCATION

2000 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2000 Supply Management Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2001 Associate of General Studies, Butler County Community College, Eldorado, Kan.
2003 Basic Boom Operator Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2003 Water and Land Survival Course, Pensacola NAS, Fla and Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2003 Associate of Aircrew Operations, Community College of the Air Force
2004 Airman Leadership School, McConnell AFB, Kan.
2006 Bachelor of Science, Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan.
2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence
2012 Master of Science in Security Administration, Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan.
2014 Combat Aircrew Tactics Course, St Joseph, Mo.
2017 Federal Aviation Administration Simulator Certification Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence
2021 Senior Joint Professional Military Education Level I and II, Correspondence
2022 Senior Enhancement Course, Andrews AFB, Md.
2024 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, Md.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2000 – September 2022, Bench Stock Manager, 184th Bomb Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.
2. September 2022 – October 2007, Inflight Refueling Specialist, 184th Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.
3. October 2007 – Current, Mobility Force Aviator, 190th ARW, Forbes Field, Kan.

FLIGHT INFORMATION [FLIGHT RATED ONLY]
Rating: Instructor and Evaluator
Flight hours: 4500+
Aircraft flown: KC135R/T

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal, one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal, four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal, three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal, three oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award, four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit, one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal, six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal, one oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, one service star
Iraq Campaign Medal, one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Short
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Bolder, four oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service, five oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 2 hourglass and 6 “M” devices
USAF NCO PME Graduate
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship
Air and Space Training Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class January 13, 2000
Senior Airman January 6, 2002
Staff Sergeant February 12, 2004
Technical Sergeant February 21, 2006
Master Sergeant September 10, 2009
Senior Master Sergeant February 16, 2022
Chief Master Sergeant March 6, 2024

(Current as of JULY 2024)