The 355th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Davis-Monthan AFB is home to 6,100 military and 1,200 civilians. It is one of the largest and busiest Air Force bases in the United States.Â
Commander, Colonel John A. CherreyÂ
Colonel John A. Cherrey is the commander of the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. He is responsible for one of the largest installations and flying operations in the United States Air Force, with more than 7,000 Airmen, 2,500 civilians, and more than 100 aircraft. He serves as the senior officer responsible for organizing, training, and equipping a 22-squadron wing, including three fighter squadrons. The wing provides A-10C close air support and forward air control, combat support forces, and medical forces to combatant commanders worldwide. The 355th Fighter Wing also trains all Active, Guard, and Reserve A-10C pilots and is the Air Combat Command executive agent for Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces and Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty compliance.
Colonel Cherrey graduated with Honors from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1988, receiving a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Engineering Physics (specializing in applied lasers and optics). He also holds two Master’s degrees, one in business administration and a one in science (specializing in national security strategy).
Vice Commander, Colonel James P. Meger
Colonel James P. Meger is the Vice Commander of the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Colonel Meger plays a key role in organizing, training and equipping a 22-squadron wing, including three flying squadrons and one geographically separated air control squadron. The wing provides A-10C close air support and forward air control, combat support forces and medical forces to combatant commanders worldwide. The 355th Fighter Wing also provides flying training to all active-duty Air Force A-10 pilots and is the Air Combat Command executive agent for Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces and Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty compliance.
Colonel Meger entered the Air Force in 1992 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in fighter and training aircraft. As a staff officer, Colonel Meger has held positions at the group, wing, MAJCOM and Air Force levels. As a commander from 2007-2009, Colonel Meger led the 1st Operations Support Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Commander Chief Master Sargeant, Chief Master Sgt. Vincent HowardChief Master Sgt. Vincent Howard is the command chief master sergeant of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. He advises the installation commander on matters influencing the health, morale, welfare, readiness and effective utilization of more than 4,000 enlisted Airmen. Chief Howard is also the installation functional manager for the base’s twenty-six first sergeants, and he serves on committees developing and implementing Air Force policies and programs that positively impact the quality of life for more than 9,000 Airmen, civilian employees, and family members who work and/or live on the installation.
Chief Howard is from San Diego and entered the Air Force in 1983. His career has included assignments in Nebraska, Montana, Utah, California, Japan, and Spain. Chief Howard began his career as a physical therapy specialist and then retrained into cost and management analysis. He became a first sergeant in 1996 and went on to serve at nine different units, providing experienced leadership and guidance to Airmen of all ranks within operations, maintenance, support, and training.
