Lieutenant Colonel Natassia N. Cherne is the Deputy Commander of the Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, a field operating agency reporting to the Secretary of the Air Force Director of Public Affairs, with more than 270 people at seven locations worldwide. The agency provides global Combat Camera and video production capabilities and specialized program management for the public affairs career field. Programs managed by the agency’s award-winning team include establishing standards, researching, testing, and purchasing equipment and systems, public web hosting for the Air Force, archiving and measuring distribution of products, and public affairs intellectual property management.
Lieutenant Colonel Cherne was commissioned in the Air Force in 2008, from East Carolina University, AFROTC program, Greenville, N.C. For her first assignment, she served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs, 502nd Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. While stationed at Lackland, she deployed to Nuristan, Afghanistan serving on a U.S. Navy Provincial Reconstruction Team. She documented more than 30 outside-the-wire missions, became a team member on a Female Engagement Team, and provided public affairs support and guidance to the Nuristan PRT commander. In 2011, Lieutenant Colonel Cherne was assigned to the largest U.S. installation in the Asia Pacific region, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. She served as the 18th Wing Deputy Chief of Public Affairs. She deployed from Kadena to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center as a Media Relations officer where she provided communication support and guidance to public affairs offices across 11 countries. In 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Cherne served as a Flight Commander and the Assistant Director of Operations for 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. She oversaw daily operations and training for 88 Airmen who executed combat camera operations supporting worldwide combat and contingency operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, and joint exercises. She also deployed to Tampa, Florida to work for United States Central Command, as the Combat Camera planner for the Information Operations division. Lieutenant Colonel Cherne oversaw 29 combat camera men and women serving in the Southwest Asia supporting air and ground operations with crucial imagery to combat the violent extremist’s organizations in the Information Operations battlespace.
Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Cherne was the Chief of Public Affairs, 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D, where she led a 16-man team. Team Minot Public Affairs provided public relations support, advice and crisis management to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, the only base in the Department of Defense which provides two-thirds of the nuclear triad strategic capabilities.
EDUCATION
2008: Bachelor of Science in Communication Media Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.
2008: Air Force and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012: Master of Science in Mass Media Arts and Public Relations, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pa.
2012: Squadron Officer’s School, (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021: Air Command and Staff College, (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2008 – May 2011, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, 502 Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Tex.
2. May 2011 – July 2014, Deputy Chief of Public Affairs, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
3. July 2014 – October 2015, Flight Commander, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
4. October 2015 – June 2018, Chief, Combat Support Directorate and Assistant Director of Operations, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
5. June 2018 – June 2021, Chief of 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, Minot Air Force Base, Minot, N.D.
6. June 2021 – Present, Deputy Commander of Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 2008
First Lieutenant May 28, 2010
Captain May 28, 2012
Major Dec. 1, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 2023
(Current as of August 2023)