KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- State Command Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Sandoval retired Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, during a ceremony after more than 42 years of service to his state and country. Sandoval began his career as a B-52 crew chief and has held many positions in the Active Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard branches of the Air Force. He was also one of the Airmen who stood up the 250th Intelligence Squadron in 2011 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, The Adjutant General of New Mexico and presiding official for the ceremony, thanked Sandoval and his wife Stacy during his remarks.
“And it’s growing up in rural New Mexico, in Raton, where you are taught early that you don’t think about yourself. You think about those that you love. You think about those that you care for, and you sacrifice for them,” Aguilar said, “and both of these great Americans have done that for 40 years. What I’m trying to tell you is, thank you. What you guys have done for this organization, the sacrifice that you’ve made, the example you set for family, for service, for expertise, is an extraordinary bar to set.”
Brig. Gen. Matthew Henry, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, echoed Aguilar’s opinion of Sandoval.
“He’s the finest senior NCO (noncommisioned officer) I’ve served with in my career – bar none. He’s the definition of a servant leader and an old school TACO (New Mexico Air National Guard member). It’s hard to imagine doing my job without him,” Henry said.
In his closing statements, Chief Sandoval expressed his gratitude for the opportunities the Guard and the state of New Mexico have provided him and his family.
“As someone born and raised in New Mexico, I carry deep pride in my heritage,” Sandoval said. “The spirit of our great state has shaped my outlook and guided my service today. Receiving both the United States flag and the New Mexico flag is not only an honor, it is a symbol of the journey that brought me here. These flags represent the values of freedom and community, and I will treasure them always as reminders of where I came from and what I stand for.”
Sandoval ended his speech by saying, “In closing, my commitment to this community remains. I will continue to support and advocate for those who serve. Thank you once again for the wonderful send-off for Stacy and me. We are blessed beyond words for the generous outpouring of support you have shown us.”
Sandoval said that he looks forward to spending more time with family now that he’s retired to make up for all the important functions he’s missed. “You will now have my full support,” Sandoval told his family.