Command Master Chief
CMDCM (AW/SW/IW/NAC) Cynthia A. Baker
Command Master Chief Baker entered Navy basic training in Orlando, Florida, in September 1992. Upon graduation, she attended Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) “A” school in Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Millington, Tennessee. She graduated in February 1993 and was assigned to the “Grim Reapers” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 working on F-14 A/B/D’s at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In June 1996, she transferred to the “Swordsmen” of VF-32 and deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during the 1996-1997 Mediterranean cruise and the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during the 1998-1999 Mediterranean cruise encompassing Operation Desert Fox. Next, she reported to Naval Air Maintenance Training Group Detachment Oceana, which became Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATTU) Oceana.
In 2002 she attended P-3 flight engineer training at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. She was trained at Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 30 as a student flight engineer, and earned her Naval Aircrewman designation in September 2003. In November 2003 she then reported to the “Golden Swordsmen” of VP-47 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and reported to the “Red Lancers” of VP-10 in 2007. She then participated in VP-10’s homeport change from NAS Brunswick to NAS Jacksonville in 2009. She then reported to the “War Eagles” of VP-16 and to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest Detachment Point Mugu in August 2012. Next, she transferred to “America’s Favorite Carrier” USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department’s Master Chief Petty Officer in October 2013, deploying in 2014/2015 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
She was selected for the Command Master Chief (CMC) Program in February 2014 and attended CMC/COB in April 2015. She was the CMC for the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 from May 2015-May 2018 and deployed in 2016 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). She served as the CMC of VP-30 from May 2018-January 2021. She is currently serving as the Command Master Chief for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Baker has earned an Associate’s degree in Aviation Technology, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She has been awarded the following personal decorations, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (four strike/flight awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (seven awards). She was also awarded the Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Award in 2017.