On Feb. 10, 2026, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Brooks assumed responsibility as the 150th Special Operations Wing Command Chief for the New Mexico Air National Guard during the February Unit Training Assembly.
The appointment comes as Brooks takes over from Chief Master Sgt. Michael Herrera, who was recently named the State Command Chief for the New Mexico Air National Guard. The transition is seen as significant for the unit’s leadership and direction.
Col. Christopher George, commander of the 150th Special Operations Wing and presiding official at the ceremony, said, “He steps into this role with knowledge, skills, abilities to ensure the deliberate, forced development of our most valued asset – our Airmen (…) In this unprecedented time at the Department of War, he brings decades of experience and a reputation for taking care of people and a record of delivering results when it matters most. Chief Brooks’ resume reads like a road map of service and impact, from his early days as an Airman on the flight line, working engines on C-17s and F-16s, to his time as the HH-60 flight engineer and a special missions aviator and one of the first enlisted airmen in the United States Air Force to complete remote pilot training and execute missions with the RQ-4 (remotely piloted aircraft). You are gaining a command chief who is here for you. He will challenge you. He will advocate for you, and he will walk beside you as you grow into the future,” according to the 150th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs.
Brooks grew up throughout the United States as an “Army brat,” finished high school in King George, Virginia, and enlisted in the Air Force in July 2003 before joining the New Mexico Air National Guard in 2019.
“I’m so unbelievably proud to be here with you all. Colonel George’s intent with strategic, resilient, decisiveness is what we must embrace. In addition to that, I want you to hold me accountable for two things, culture and development. Culture is one of those things that is the most challenging, really challenging thing to hold on to, but it’s the most important thing to institutionalize in a command like this. Our environment is consistently changing and evolving. We must adapt to remain relevant. And, whatever that future fight holds for us, if it means rebranding, it means advocating for new resources or new mission styles, that’s what we’re going to do to remain relevant,” Brooks said.
In his new role as Command Chief, Brooks advises on mission effectiveness, professional development, training, and military readiness for all assigned personnel.
