Technical Sergeant Padilla is the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of OCONUS End User Operations, Defense Intelligence Agency Chief Information Office, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He leads six joint service members executing global cyber operations for a $10 billion Cyberspace Security Control System, supporting over 750,000 users across 10 Major Commands. He oversees classified and unclassified network operations for 116 Department of Defense and interagency sites, delivering secure TS/SCI communications worldwide. Additionally, he is responsible for accountability and sustainment of $40 million in JWICS and SIPRNET computing assets supporting 11 Combatant Commands and five interagency partners across 112 countries.

Technical Sergeant Padilla, a native of San Antonio, Texas, enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 2016. He completed Basic Military Training and graduated from Client Systems Technician technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, in March 2017. At his first duty assignment with the 625th Air Communications Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, he served as a Client Systems Technician before transitioning to the 624th Operations Center, where he was recognized as the 24th Air Force Airman of the Year in 2018. He contributed to the historic stand-down of the 24th Air Force and the activation of the 16th Air Force, supporting the consolidation of Air Force cyber and intelligence capabilities into a unified Information Warfare Numbered Air Force.

Following this transition, Technical Sergeant Padilla played a key role in the establishment of the 616th Air Communications Squadron, helping develop foundational policies and operational procedures. In July 2021, he deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, in support of operations in the Horn of Africa, where he expanded his expertise in satellite communications and was subsequently selected for a forward deployment to Somalia. There, he reestablished and maintained expeditionary communications infrastructure critical to forward operations.

Upon redeployment, he was assigned to Headquarters 16th Air Force before receiving orders to MacDill Air Force Base to support the Defense Intelligence Agency. In his current role, he enables secure communications for Defense Attaché Offices and U.S. embassies across Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, ensuring reliable global connectivity for mission-critical intelligence operations.

EDUCATION

  • 2015 Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, University of Texas at San Antonio
  • 2016 Basic Military Training, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
  • 2016 Information Technology Fundamentals, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
  • 2017 Client Systems Technical Training, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
  • 2019 Associate’s in Information Technology, CCAF
  • 2020 Airman Leadership School, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
  • 2025 EJPME


ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2016–November 2016, Trainee, 331st Training Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
2. November 2015–March 2017, Student, 336st Training Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
3. March 2017–April 2018, Client Systems Technician, 625th ACOMS, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
4. April 2018–March 2020, Client Systems Technician, 624th Operation Center, JBSA-Lackland
5. March 2020–November 2020, Client Systems Technician, 616th Operation Center, JBSA-Lackland
6. November 2020–November 2021, Program Manager, 616th ACOMS, JBSA-Lackland
7. November 2021–February 2023, Client Systems Supervisor, 16th, JBSA-Lackland
8. February 2023–May 2025, Field Team Lead, DIA-CIO, MacDill AFB
9. May 2025–Present, Field Team Lead, 5th ISS, MacDill AFB

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Air and Space Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
  • Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
  • Air and Space Commendation Medal
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal


OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2017 CompTIA Security+ Certification
  • 2017 May Diamond Sharp
  • 2018 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
  • 2018 3D1X1 Information Dominance Cyber Support Amn for 624 OC
  • 2018 3D1X1 Information Dominance Cyber Support Amn Nominee for 24 AF
  • 2018 Airman of the 2nd Quarter for 624 OC
  • 2018 Airman of the Year for 624 OC
  • 2018 Airman of the Year for 24 AF
  • 2019 Team of the 1st Quarter for the 624 OC
  • 2019 Meritorious Rising Star Award for Achievement in IT for Alamo AFCEA Annual Award


EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Airman First Class- September 2016
  • Senior Airman- July 2018
  • Staff Sergeant- November 2020
  • Technical Sergeant- April 2025