Zachary Alan Nichter
Dayton,OH
Summary
Decorated Senior Master Sergeant with over 20 years of distinguished service in the United States Air Force, specializing in intelligence operations, strategic planning, and leadership. Expertise in cyber intelligence, SIGINT, personnel recovery, and special operations support, consistently excelling in high-pressure environments. Proven leader skilled in guiding cross-functional teams, developing innovative training and inspection programs, and delivering mission-critical intelligence. Holds a current TS/SCI clearance and multiple advanced certifications in intelligence and operations, reflecting a commitment to excellence and continuous professional development.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Enlisted Leader
16 AF/A3
01.2023 - Current
- Provides senior leadership guidance on cyber and intelligence operations.
- Advises the A3 director on personnel management, training, and operations.
- Reorganized Directorate, crosspollinating offensive and defensive cyber specialties.
- Liaised between IO team and Lead Wings for signature management for ACE operations.
- Chaired Intelligence Cyber training board, recommending course changes and development of a distance learning supplement to Cyber Intelligence FTU.
- Led and managed the operations support squadron, CTI and range management.
- Coordinated training pipeline creation for CTI personnel across 16th Air Force.
- Optimized the cyber analysis team, shifting from a region to a threat technique focus.
Command Intelligence Inspector
Air Combat Command (ACC)
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Lead intelligence and cyber inspector, drafting finalized MAJCOM inspection reporting.
- Shared intelligence best practices and liaised between units for process improvement.
- Conducted inspections and evaluations of intelligence units across ACC.
- Led the development and implementation of intelligence readiness requirements.
- Managed inspection schedule and reporting, pairing inspectors based on risk factors.
- Certified as a Major Graded Area Lead and inspection superintendent.
- Created Air Combat Command’s first virtual inspection guide, saving $5M annually.
Operations Support Flight Superintendent
AFSOC Detachment
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Provided intelligence support and mission planning to special operations forces.
- Planned aircrew exercises, coordinating local and national agencies across 3 states.
- Managed support personnel to include Intelligence, budgeting, IT, admin to logistics.
- Created a Space to Sub-Surface Monitoring SOP for specialized mission planning.
- Provided target details and pattern of life analysis for HVI hunt mission by ISR assets.
- Leveraged targeting skills to develop strike plans and employment recommendations.
Intelligence Analyst
US Air Force
05.2005 - 07.2014
- Led 8 analysts supporting ISR and personnel recovery missions.
- Delivered 150 presentations to senior leadership, earning 3 awards for excellence.
- Oversaw national asset tasking for recovery operations and space shuttle launches
- Delivered 250 threat training academics and managed personnel recovery for 500 aircrew.
- Supported combat search and rescue operations with real-time intelligence updates.
Education
A.A.S. - Intelligence Studies
Community College of the Air Force
Skills
- Analytical planning skills
- Cyber threat analysis
- SIGINT and ELINT proficiency
- Special operations expertise
- Preparedness and compliance evaluations
- Strategic mission planning
- Program management
- Leadership development
- Collaborative military operations
- Experience with secure intelligence networks
- Mapping and visualization software
- Mentoring and coaching
Accomplishments
Honor Graduate - Airman Leadership School
NCO of the Year - AF Special Operations Command
Honor Graduate - Fighter Intelligence School
Top Inspector Award x3 - Inspector General
Certification
- Intelligence Analyst Certification, USAF
- F-15C Intelligence FTU
- USAF Combat Targeting School
- DEPL 2000 – SIGINT
- Senior Enlisted Intelligence Course
- NSA Defensive Cyber Cert
- Personnel Recovery Certification, USAF: SV-80A, SERE 100, SERE 400, JPRA 264/265
- SOF Intelligence Certification, USAF: AT/FP Level II, AFRICOM Theater Course
Timeline
Senior Enlisted Leader
16 AF/A3
01.2023 - Current
Command Intelligence Inspector
Air Combat Command (ACC)
01.2019 - 01.2022
Operations Support Flight Superintendent
AFSOC Detachment
01.2014 - 01.2019
Intelligence Analyst
US Air Force
05.2005 - 07.2014
A.A.S. - Intelligence Studies
Community College of the Air Force