Chief Master Sgt. Ireneo Alfaro is the senior enlisted leader for the 412th Medical Group at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Alfaro serves as the primary enlisted advisor to the 412th Medical Group commander and medical treatment facility director.
He oversees medical, dental and ancillary services for 16,000 beneficiaries, and ensures access to primary, specialty and preventive care in support of the 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center and Air Force Research Laboratory missions. He works with wing and mission partners to ensure medical readiness for wartime missions. He collaborates with patient safety and quality personnel to promote an environment that fosters a culture of ready, reliable care.
Alfaro also leads and oversees the well-being, career progression, professional development and recognition for 220 assigned personnel.
Originally from the island of Luzon in the Philippines, Alfaro entered the Air Force in 2002. His career includes assignments at bases in Texas, Germany and Turkey, as well as two tours in Japan and three tours in New Mexico. Alfaro has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Cobra Gold and NATO Joint Guardian.
EDUCATION
2002 - Public Health Apprentice Course (Chief Box Leadership Award) Brooks AFB, Texas
2009 - Certified Attenuation Custom Communication Earpiece System Impression, Westone
2011 - B.S. Occupational Safety and Health, Columbia Southern University, Alabama
2012 - A.S. Public Health (Pitsenbarger Award), Community College of the Air Force
2016 - Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2016 - Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2016 - U.S. Army Balkans National Support Element Joint Service Education Course, Kosovo
2018 - Air Force Medical Service Safety Behaviors/Error Prevention Instructor Course, Booz Allen
2019 - Air Force Special Operations Squadron Leadership Course
2019 - Air Force Language Enabled Airman Program Advance Region Studies, INDOPACOM
2020 - Intermediate Executive Skills Course, Military Health Services Leaders
2022 - Air Force Group Leadership Course, Air University
2022 - Air Force Strategic Leadership Course, Air University
2024 - Nuclear Weapons Incident Response Training, Defense Nuclear Weapons School
2025 - Nuclear Policy Course, Defense Nuclear Weapons School
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 2002 - Jul 2002, Public Health Apprentice, USAF Brook City Base, Texas
2. Aug 2002 - May 2007, Public Health Technician, 59th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. Jan 2005 - May 2005, Public Health Preventive Medicine Technician, 332nd Ballad Air Base, Iraq
4. Jan 2011 - Mar 2011, Senior Preventive Medicine Technician, 36th Marine Aircraft Group, Marine Air Station Futenma, Japan
5. Jun 2007 - May 2013, Force Health Management Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan.
6. Jun 2013 - Oct 2014, Public Health Element Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, 39th Medical Operations Squadron, IncirlikAB, Turkey
7. Apr 2016 - Oct 2016, Joint Medical Preventive Medicine Branch, Kosovo Forces North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters, Kosovo.
8. Oct 2014 - May 2017, Public Health Flight Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany.
9. Jun 2017 - Sep 2018, Public Health Flight Chief, 377th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
10. Sep 2018 - Aug 2019, 27th Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron Superintendent & AFSOC 4E Functional Manager, Cannon AFB, New Mexico
11. Sep 2019 - Mar 2021, 27th Special Operations Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Superintendent & AFSOC 4E Functional Manager, Cannon AFB, New Mexico
12. Mar 2021 - Jul 2021, 27th Medical Group Interim Superintendent & AFSOC 4E Functional Manager, Cannon AFB, New Mexico
13. Jul 2021 - July 2023, 374th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Yokota AFB, Japan
14. July 2023 - Feb 2025, 377th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
15. Feb 2025 - May 2025, Defense Threat Reduction Agency-West Senior Enlisted Leader, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
16. Jun 2025 – Present, 412th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Edwards AFB, California
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Achievement Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
(Current as of 2025)