David R. Wolfe

David R. Wolfe
Wolfe in 2025
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Service years	1992–present
Rank	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Conflicts	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Legion of Merit (4) Meritorious Service Medal (6)
Alma mater	Wayland Baptist University University of Charleston Virginia Tech

David R. Wolfe is a senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force, who has served as the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force since December 8, 2025. ^{[1] [2]} Wolfe has served in the U.S. Air Force since enlisting in 1992, serving mainly as a Security Forces Airman, ^[3] which is the U.S. Air Force version of military police. ^[4] He succeeded Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi, who announced his retirement in September 2025 due to the death of his wife. ^[5]

Wolfe sees China as the most important threat to the United States currently. ^[2]

Wolfe served in a number of joint assignments with other U.S. military services. He deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. ^[6]

Education

Source: ^[1]

• 1997 Airman Leadership School, Aviano Air Base, Italy - Distinguished Graduate ^[7]
• 1999 Associate degree, Police Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
• 2004 Associate degree, Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
• 2004 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Wayland Baptist University, Texas
• 2004 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kadena AB, Japan
• 2006 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
• 2010 U.S. Marine Corps Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy Advanced Course, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• 2018 Master of Strategic Leadership, University of Charleston, W.Va.
• 2020 Master of Political Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Assignments and achievements

Wolfe and Air Force Chief of Staff, General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, stand during Wolfe's assumption of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, December 8, 2025.

Source: ^{[1] [7]}

• February 1992–April 1992, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
• April 1992–June 1992, Student, Security Forces Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
• July 1992–December 1994, Flight Security Controller, 321st Missile Security Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. (December 1993–March 1994, Security Specialist, 4404th Composite Wing (Provisional), King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
• 321st Missile Security Squadron Airman of the Year
• December 1994–June 1996, United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Elite Guardsman, USAFE Special Security Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
• June 1996–June 1998, VIP Protection to the Commander, Air Forces Southern, Naples, Italy
• June 1998–August 2001, Patrolman and Standardization Evaluation, 3rd Security Forces Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska (May 2000–September 2000, Personal Security Officer to the Commander, 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
• August 2001–August 2002, Noncommissioned Office in Charge, Security Forces Administration, Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection, 13th Space Warning Squadron, Clear Air Force Station, Alaska
• September 2002–February 2004, Desk Sergeant, 3rd Security Forces Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
• 2003 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
• February 2004–December 2007, Airman Leadership School and Noncommissioned Officer Academy Instructor, Elmendorf Professional Military Education Center, 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
• December 2007–October 2008, Flight Chief, 3rd Security Forces Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
• 11th Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
• October 2008–March 2011, NCOIC, Operations and Superintendent, Logistics, 375th Security Forces Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill. (June 2009–December 2009, Superintendent, Entry Control Point Operations, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Iraq)
• March 2011–August 2013, Security Forces Manager, 435th Security Forces Squadron, Sembach Kaserne and Pulaski Barracks, Germany
• August 2013–August 2014, Squadron Superintendent, 673rd SFS, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
• August 2014–February 2016, Commandant, Elmendorf Professional Military Education Center, 673rd Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
• February 2016–June 2017, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
• June 2017–July 2018, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. (August 2017–October 2017, Senior Enlisted Leader, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan)
• July 2018–September 2020, Senior Enlisted Leader, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Alaskan Command, and Command Chief Master Sergeant, 11th Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
• September 2020–February 2024, Command Chief Master Sgt., Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Field, Hawaii
• February 2024–August 2025, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
• December 2025–present, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.

Awards and decorations

	Air Force Master Force Protection Badge
	Headquarters Air Force Badge

Personal decorations
	Legion of Merit [8] with three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf clusters
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Unit awards
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	Meritorious Unit Award (Air and Space Forces)
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two silver oak leaf clusters and V device
	Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Service awards
	Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
Campaign and service medals
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze campaign star
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star
	Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Korea Defense Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal
	Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N device
Service, training and marksman awards
	Air and Space Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with one silver and two bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster and gold frame
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star device
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	NATO Medal with two bronze star devices

Personal life

Wolfe is married to Dr. Doniel Wolfe, ^[6] and has one daughter and grandchildren. ^[9] He is the son of Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas R. Wolfe, ^[10] a combat photographer who documented the aftermath of the atomic bomb tests.

References

1. "Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force DAVID R. WOLFE". US Air Force. December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
2. Gordon, Chris (2025-11-06). "Former ACC Command Chief Wolfe Tapped as New CMSAF". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
3. "Wolfe selected as Air Force's top enlisted leader". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
4. Schogol, Jeff (2025-11-06). "Air Force's new top enlisted leader had long career in security forces". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
5. Fletcher, Zita (2025-11-07). "Wolfe tapped as Air Force's new top enlisted leader". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
6. "The Quiet Professional: Chief Wolfe's Journey of Service and Leadership". Air Combat Command. Archived from the original on 2025-08-27. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
7. "Wayback Machine" (PDF). www.pacaf.af.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
8. "Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Joanne S. Bass". United States Air Force. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
9. Stassis, Cristina (2025-12-08). "Wolfe sworn in as Air Force's top enlisted leader". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
10. James, Staff Sgt. Emmeline (December 9, 2025). "Wolfe assumes role as 21st CMSAF". Royal Air Force Mildenhall.

Military offices
Preceded by David A. Flosi	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 2025–present	Incumbent