Chief Warrant Officer 5 J. Mike Tomblin serves as the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 11th Command Chief Warrant Officer. In that duty, Tomblin advises state leadership on all matters pertaining to warrant officers in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
CW5 Tomblin enlisted as an 11B infantryman in the Illinois Army National Guard in January 1990 and was assigned to Company B, 2-129th Infantry. He completed PLDC and was promoted to Sergeant in February 1994. After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Journalism, Mr. Tomblin was released from the Illinois Army National Guard to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
Upon completion of WOCS and flight school, CW5 Tomblin was assigned as an AH-64 Attack Helicopter pilot in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). In August 2001, he was assigned as an instructor pilot to Bravo Troop 6-6 CAV, Storck Barracks, Germany.
In December 2006, CW5 Tomblin was accepted into the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a UH-60 Pilot. In 2015 Mr. Tomblin completed an assignment with the Wisconsin Fixed Wing Detachment. CW5 Tomblin has served in several positions at the 1-147th AHB as the Standardization Instructor Pilot, Safety Officer, and Aviation Mission Survivability Officer.
CW5 Tomblin is qualified in the UH-1 Huey, AH-64A/D Apache, UH-60A/L/M Blackhawk, C-12, and C-26 Metroliner. He has 5,813.7 total hours, over 1,500 hours under Night Vision system and Night Vision Goggles, and 1,509.3 hours of combat flight time.
CW5 Tomblin deployed to Iraq in March 2003, 2010, and Afghanistan in 2017. He has participated in multiple domestic operations in support of Wisconsin and other states.
CW5 Tomblin’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, and two awards of the Air Medal. His other decorations are commensurate with his rank, multiple combat deployments, and over 36 years of service.
CW5 John M. Tomblin’s most recent position was as the Wisconsin State Standardization Instructor Officer. He is a member of the Senior Warrant Advisory Council and supports the future development of the organization by managing the State Army Aviation Candidate Assessment Board. He has supported the RTI by volunteering as an instructor and mentor.
CW5 Tomblin has been married to his wife, Kelly, for over 30 years. They have two sons (Hudson and Nash) and reside in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
05/04/2026