Kaleth O. Wright is a retired senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force who served as the 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from February 17, 2017, to August 14, 2020.[3] In this post he served as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Wright is the second African American to serve in this position. Wright is often referred to by the nickname “Enlisted Jesus” by airmen due to his successful advocacy and reforms on behalf of enlisted personnel.[4][5][6]
Military career
Wright enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1989 and his background includes various duties in the dental career field. He served as a Professional Military Education instructor and has held various senior enlisted positions while serving at squadron, group, wing, Task-Force and Numbered Air Force levels. He has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Enduring Freedom and completed overseas tours in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Germany, and Alaska. He was the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Third Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force.
Prior to assuming the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Wright was the Command Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As the command chief, he was the senior enlisted advisor to the commander on all matters affecting the readiness, training, professional development and effective utilization of more than 21,000 enlisted force personnel. Additionally, he coordinated with the headquarters staff, commanders, and senior personnel on administration and implementation of command policy. The chief champions and directs enlisted theater security engagement and building partnership capacity in an area of responsibility that comprises 104 countries in support of both United States European Command and United States Africa Command.
2014 AFSO21 Executive Leaders Course, University of Tennessee
2014 USAF Air War College via Correspondence, Air University
2015 Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, CO
2016 Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership, Cornell University
Assignments
1. September 1989 – June 1994, Dental Assistant Specialist, 317th (later 23rd) Medical Group, Pope AFB, N.C.
2. July 1994 – July 1995, Dental Assistant Journeyman, 51st Dental Squadron, Osan AB, Korea
3. August 1995 – August 2001, NCOIC, Preventive Dentistry/Records and Reception/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Dental Readiness, 18th Dental Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
4. August 2001 – August 2004, Flight Chief, Training/Evaluation, Kisling NCOA, Kapaun AS, Germany
5. September 2004 – February 2007, Flight Chief, Dental Flight, 43rd ADOS, Pope AFB, N.C.
6. February 2007 – February 2009, Superintendent, 51st Dental Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
7. February 2009 – July 2010, Superintendent, 3rd Dental Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
8. July 2010 – May 2011, Superintendent, 18th Dental Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
9. May 2011 – May 2012, Superintendent, 18th Mission Support Group, Kadena AB, Japan
10. May 2012 – February 2014, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 22d Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas
11. February 2014 – December 2014, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
12. January 2015 – June 2016, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force, Ramstein AB, Germany
13. June 2016 – January 2017, Command Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein AB, Germany
14. February 2017 – August 2020, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
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