Chief Master Sergeant Karissa L. Gunter serves as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 99th Air Base Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. She is responsible to the commander on a wide range of issues including the health, morale, welfare, professional development, and discipline of more than 7,000 personnel. The wing is responsible for all installation support functions to include communications, contracting, engineering, environmental, law enforcement, logistics, medical, security, services, and force support for more than 11,000 assigned personnel and over 313,000 family members, retirees, and veterans. In addition, the wing also supports the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nevada Test and Training Range, 53rd Wing, 57th Wing, 505th Command and Control Wing, 52 mission partners, over 250 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft plus nearly 1,500 visitors and temporary-duty personnel conducting business daily across the installation.
Chief Gunter grew up in Schererville, Indiana and entered the Air Force in 2001. During her career, she has served in a variety of positions within the Services and Force Support career field as well as holding various senior enlisted positions while serving at the squadron, group and wing levels. She has deployed multiple times in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Prior to assuming her current position in June 2025, she served as the Senior Enlisted Airman, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.
EDUCATION
2005 Airman Leadership School, Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Mo.
2008 Associates in Fitness, Recreation and Services Management, Community College of the Air Force, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
2013 Marine Corps Senior Noncommissioned Officer Advanced Academy, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan
2016 Bachelor of Science, Sports and Health, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2019 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Wing Command Team Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flager Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2025 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo. 2025 Master of Arts, Executive Leadership, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2002 – March 2006, Food Service Shift Leader, 509th Services Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Mo.
2. March 2006 – March 2007, Community Center Shift Supervisor, 8th Services Squadron, Kunsan Air Base (AB), Republic of Korea
3. March 2007 – March 2009, Fitness Center Supervisor, 31st Force Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
4. April 2009 – June 2012, Fitness Center Program Manager, 99th Force Support Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. June 2012 – March 2014, Superintendent, Readiness and Plans, 18th Force Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan
6. March 2014 – March 2017, Superintendent, Sustainment Services Flight, 36th Force Support Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam
7. April 2017 – July 2020, Squadron Superintendent, 96th Force Support Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. August 2020 – March 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 375th Force Support Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
9. March 2022 – April 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 96th Mission Support Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
10. May 2023 – May 2025, Senior Enlisted Airman, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base (SFB), Fla.
11. June 2025 – Present, Command Chief, 99th Air Base Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with silver bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 AFTC A1 SNCO of the Year
2017 11th Air Force SNCO of the Year
2017 36th Wing SNCO of the Year
2008 USAFE A1 NCO of the Year
2005 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant 1 June 2019
(Current as of June 2025)