Taijeron takes over as Guam Air Guard command chief

Chief Master Sergeant Philip S.N. Taijeron, Jr. will assume responsibility as command chief of the Guam Air National Guard, during a ceremony this Sunday, May 5, beginning at 9am, at the Guard’s Readiness Center in Barrigada. He will take over for Chief Master Sgt. John Quinata who retires after 38 years of military service. Quinata has been command chief since October 2016.

Taijeron began his military career in 1985 serving three years in the U.S. Army. He enlisted in the Guam Air National Guard in 2000 and attended Electrical Systems Apprentice Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas in 2001. He was recognized as a top graduate at the completion of the course. He deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom and was assigned to locations in South Carolina, Korea, Washington, Texas, Okinawa, Arizona, Mississippi, Alabama, United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan.

John Quinata

Taijeron was the 254 Red Horse Squadron’s Facility Systems superintendent. He managed civil engineers trained in the fields of electrical and mechanical systems maintenance; electrical systems power production; water and fuel systems maintenance; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems maintenance; and pest management systems.

Prior to his role as Facility Systems superintendent, he functioned as the First Sergeant for the 254th Red Horse Squadron. In this role, he served as adviser to the squadron commander on matters concerning 172 Air National Guard civil engineers on issues related to morale, health, discipline, mentoring, well-being, recognition, and professional and leadership development of enlisted Airmen.

In his civilian career, Taijeron is employed by the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency as an assistant customs chief.

Philip Taijeron

As command chief master sergeant of the Guam Air National Guard, Taijeron will be the highest enlisted airman, charged with managing the efforts of and mentoring of more than 300 enlisted airmen. He also serves as principal advisor to The Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard on all enlisted matters, including issues affecting the command’s mission and operations, and the readiness, training, utilization, morale, technical and professional development, and quality of life of all enlisted members in the organization.

Quinata has served as the Guam Air National Guard’s command chief since October 2016 and will be retiring after nearly 38 years of service to Guam and the nation in a ceremony following the change of responsibility on Sunday. (PR)