Chief Master Sergeant Kevin C. Drost is the Chief Enlisted Manager and Program Analyst for the 245th Civil Engineer Flight Staff Augmentation Team (S-Team), Charlotte, North Carolina. He acts as the sole full-time focal point for the commissioned and enlisted members of the unit. Chief Drost assists the Commander in strategic planning, resource management and execution, and ensuring the deployment-readiness of the Flight which provides domestic and international engineering and planning support.
Chief Drost enlisted in the New York Air National Guard in 1989 and completed the Exterior Electrical Apprentice course at Shepard AFB in the spring of 1990. While of a member of 107th Civil Engineer Squadron in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he deployed in support of construction projects in Panama, Arizona and then multiple times to Israel in support of a multi-year building project that would support joint American-Israeli exercises. During these deployments, Chief Drost was selected as a duration staff member for the Israel construction project and met his wife, Sivan. While living in Buffalo, N.Y., Chief Drost graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in English Education. In 1999, he accepted a position with the 175th Civil Engineer Squadron in Baltimore, Md. where he was the full-time Supply Technician and Section Supervisor. After the September 11 attacks, Chief Drost deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch. Over the next 8 years, continuing deployments supporting the construction in Israel honed his project management, logistics, and Hebrew language skills. He also worked closely with the 235th Civil Engineer Flight (CEF) S-Team in Baltimore, Md. where he was given a position as the full-time Logistics Manager in 2007. In the summer of 2008, Chief Drost relocated to Charlotte, N.C. to assist in the standup of the newly commissioned 245 CEF to be the Logistics Manager and Program Analyst. In 2009, Chief Drost deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom working on a Facility Engineering Team. Chief Drost is currently the Chief Enlisted Manager for the 245 CEF and continues to be the full-time unit manager.
EDUCATION
1990 USAF Exterior Electrical Apprentice Course, Shepard AFB, Texas
1996 Bachelor of Science, Secondary English Education, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y.
1999 USAF Supply Management Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2006 Hazardous Waste Accumulation Managers Course, Baltimore, Md.
2006 SORTS Data Handler Course, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
2007 Joint Planning Orientation Course, Baltimore, Md.
2008 Combat Lifesaver Course, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md.
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 USAF Engineering Apprentice Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2015 4 Lenses and Enhancing Human Capital Course, Charlotte Air National Guard Base, N.C.
2015 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Charlotte, N.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1989 – June 1999, Electrician, 107th Civil Engineer Squadron, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
2. June 1999 – February 2007, Supply Management Craftsman, 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, Baltimore, Md.
3. February 2007 – July 2008, Logistics Manager, 235th Civil Engineer Flight, Baltimore, Md.
4. July 2007 – February 2015, Logistics Manager and Engineering Superintendent, 245th Civil Engineer Flight, Charlotte, N.C.
5. February 2015 – Present, Program Analyst and Chief Enlisted Manager, 245th Civil Engineer Flight, Charlotte, N.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Navy Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Noncommissioned Officers Academy Graduate Association
North Carolina National Guard Association, Member and Unit Representative
North Carolina Air National Guard Chief Council
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1996 Certified, New York State Teacher Certification Exam, Buffalo, N.Y.
1999 Exceptional Academic Performance Award, Supply Management Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
2013 Engineer Assistant Apprentice Course Distinguished Graduate, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2016 Score of 100% on Air Force Physical Fitness Test
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman September 1989
Airman First Class December 1990
Senior Airman July 1991
Staff Sergeant June 1994
Technical Sergeant March 2001
Master Sergeant September 2005
Senior Master Sergeant March 2008
Chief Master Sergeant February 2015
(Current as of November 2016)