ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe was selected as the 21st Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force on Nov. 6. His valuable experience and proven performance make him a key addition to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach’s leadership team.

“Chief Wolfe has been my wingman, advisor and confidant for multiple command assignments,” said Wilsbach. “Cindy and I are delighted to have Dave and Doniel alongside us as we lead the Air Force. Their passion for Airmen and their families is second to none.”

Wolfe’s most recent assignment before this new position was Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. There, he served as the principal advisor to Wilsbach and ACC staff on issues impacting the well-being, morale, and optimal employment of all personnel.

Chief Wolfe’s career began in February 1992, encompassing a diverse range of specialties. His experience spans missile security, elite guard duty, protective services, and space warning security, demonstrating his commitment to national security. He possesses expertise in training and standardization evaluation, security forces operations, logistics, and professional military education, ensuring a well-rounded skill set.

“The selection of Chief Wolfe as our 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is the right decision during this critical time for the Air Force,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “I know that he will continue to serve and advocate for Airmen and their families.”

As with previous CMSAFs, Wolfe will serve as the public voice for Air Force personnel to all levels of government. He will also act as an advisor to Wilsbach and other senior military and civilian leaders, providing counsel on issues concerning the welfare, readiness, morale, utilization, and professional development of the Air Force’s Airmen.

As a leader, Wolfe will set the course for the Total Force and serve as a dedicated advocate for all Airmen.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Surrounded by the dense jungle of Oahu’s mountains, members of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron embraced sweat, slope and strain during their annual training in August—pushing beyond routine drills to sharpen skills essential for battlefield readiness and leadership development.

From before sunrise ruck marches to live-fire ranges echoing with the rhythm of the M240 Bravo machine gun, each day of training held a clear intent: prepare tomorrow’s defenders to take the lead.

“The goal wasn’t just to get reps in,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Eaton, who oversaw portions of the squadron’s field training. “My intent going into annual training was to challenge the younger guys not just physically, but mentally. I wanted to pass down the knowledge I’ve gained to help them grow, because one day I won’t be there to guide them.”

Eaton added, “This was about showing them the way, giving them space to learn, and letting them succeed whether through failure or success.”

The 132nd Security Forces Squadron conducted its training on and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, including a grueling land navigation course hosted by the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division near Schofield Barracks. The terrain, characterized by thick vegetation, wet clay and steep elevation changes, forced the Defenders to apply classroom concepts in real-world conditions.

“Finding points in a textbook is one thing,” said Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Phipps. “But locating them through a jungle filled with false trails and obstacles is where you find out if your team can really execute.”

The unit focused heavily on fieldcraft and proficiency in small-unit tactics; squad patrol operations; basic team leader procedures, or TLPs; and sustainment training on heavy weapons systems. The M240 Bravo machine gun, often crew-served and mounted, became a key tool for reinforcing fire team coordination under stress.

Each training lane was built upon the next. Patrol formations led to ambush drills. Route planning flowed into tactical communications. TLPs became second nature under the guidance of experienced noncommissioned officers such as Phipps and Eaton, who made it a personal mission to invest in the Airmen behind him.

When not in the field, the unit engaged in structured classroom instruction followed by hands-on application. Whether reviewing the plotted points or practicing pace counts for land navigation, each lesson was tested by noncommissioned officers.

Some mornings started with loaded rucks down humid mountain trails. Others began in the classroom and ended with bounding movements. The variability kept the Airmen focused and the purpose clear.

2nd Lt. Mike Ploeger, a 132nd Security Forces officer, was satisfied with the training during the two weeks.

“This annual training for security forces highlighted a growing emphasis on integrated base defense, infantry-style tactics and readiness for near-peer threats,” Ploeger said. “Sharpening our members’ abilities shifting with the career field toward more agile, multi-capable and strategically minded defenders.”

For the 132nd Security Forces Squadron, annual training in Hawaii became more than a requirement—it was a proving ground. That proving ground was where junior Airmen learned to read a map by terrain, not screen; where leadership meant setting the pace on the ruck march, not barking orders; and where knowledge passed down might one day save lives.

By SSgt John Johnson, Iowa Air National Guard