Military Entrance Processing Station

Major Walfrido 'Wally' Contreras

United States Air Force
Columbus Military Entrance Processing Station

Major Walfrido 'Wally' Contreras is the Commander of the Columbus Military Entrance Processing Station.

Major Contraras earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1995. His first duty assignment was to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, N.M., where he was assigned to the 355th Operations Support Squadron where he served as Chief of Plans and Exercises and later with the 354th Fighter Squadron as the Squadron Section Commander. He was then assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., where he served with the 10th Missile Squadron as the Squadron Section Commander. His next assignment was to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., there he served with the 97th Airlift Squadron where he served as Chief, Military Equal Opportunity. His next assignment was to Ramstein Air Base, Germany where he served as a Protocol Officer with Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe. He then deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, where he served with the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing as Chief, Wing Protocol. Upon redeployment he returned to Ramstein Air Base and resumed his previous duties. He was then assigned to Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe Human Resources Directorate, where he served as Chief, Leadership and Force Development, also at Ramstein. His next assignment was to Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he served with 31st Mission Support Squadron as Manpower Flight Commander and later as Chief, Wing Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Program and Manpower Flight, 31st Mission Support Squadron. Prior to his current assignment he was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was assigned to United States Transportation Command as Chief, Manpower Management Division, and later as Chief, Senior Leader Management Division.

Major Contreras' professional military education includes Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Joint Forces Staff College's Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University, St Louis, in 2002.

His military awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, and numerous unit and service medals and ribbons.