Chief Master Sergeant James Felton is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The wing supports Air Mobility Command's global airlift requirements in peace, war, national emergencies, and humanitarian efforts. The 445th Airlift Wing is manned with over 2,000 assigned wing personnel in 19 units with an inventory of nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and provides aeromedical evacuation. Chief Felton advises the wing commander and staff on mission effectiveness, professional development, military readiness, training, utilization, health, morale, and welfare of approximately 1,850 enlisted personnel and serves as their liaison to the commander. He also serves as the functional manager for wing group superintendents and First Sergeants.
Chief Felton began his military career with the Army in 1981 as a communication specialist with the 11th Aviation Combat Group. In 1984, he transitioned from active duty to the Ohio Army National Guard, 77th Infantry Airborne Pathfinder Detachment where he trained and conducted special operation missions. After a six-year break in service, Chief Felton entered the Air Force Reserve in 1997 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. His background includes various duties as a C-141 loadmaster, instructor loadmaster, and first sergeant. In 2008, he was selected as Air Force Reserve Command First Sergeant of the Year.
Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the First Sergeant for the 87th Aerial Port Squadron.
EDUCATION:
1981 US Army Signal School, Fort Gordon, Ga.
1983 US Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga.
1983 US Army Jungle Warfare School, Panama
1985 US Army Infantry and Pathfinder School, Fort Benning, Ga.
1985 US Army Winter Survival School, Camp Grayling, Mich.
1997 Aircraft Loadmaster Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
1998 C-141 Loadmaster Initial Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla.
1999 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Correspondence Course
2003 Bachelor's Degree in organizational management, Wilberforce University, Ohio
2005 Master's Degree in business administration (MBA) (Leadership & Finance), Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio
2001 Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Course
2006 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 AFRC Senior NCO Leadership Course, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
2008 Ohio State University, Graduate School for Advance Management, Columbus, Ohio
2008 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Course
2008 National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2010 Associates in Applied Science, Aviation Operations, and Human Resources, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Reserve Component National Security Course, Joint Reserves Affairs Center, National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.
2012 AFRC Chief Orientation Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. August 1981 - October 1981, student, basic military training, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
2. October 1981 - December 1981, US Army Signal Corp School, Fort Gordon, Ga.
3. December 1981 - June 1983, Communication Specialist, 11th Aviation Combat Group, Schwaebisch Hall, Germany
4. June 1983 - August 1984, Paratrooper, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
5. August 1984 - August 1991, Pathfinder, 77th Infantry Airborne Pathfinder Detachment, Columbus, Ohio
6. August 1991 - July 1997, Break in service
7. July 1997 - October 2005, Loadmaster C141, 89th Airlift Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. October 2005 - September 2006, Flight Chief and Instructor Loadmaster C141, 89th AS, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. September 2006 - October 2008, First Sergeant, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. October 2008 - September 2012, First Sergeant, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. September 2012 - May 2014, First Sergeant, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. May 2014 - Present, Command Chief, 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
1. Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
2. Air Medal
3. Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
4. Air Force Commendation Medal
5. Air Force Achievement Medal
6. Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
7. Meritorious Unit Award
8. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
9. Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster
10. Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
11. Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
12. National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
13. Antarctica Service Medal
14. Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
15. Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
16. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
17. Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
18. Air & Space Campaign Medal
19. Army Overseas Service Ribbon
20. Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with one oak leaf cluster
21. AF Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
22. Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 4 "M" devices and silver hourglass
23. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star (Rifle & Pistol)
24. Army Service Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1998 Distinguished Graduate from the C-141 Loadmaster Initial Qualification
2003 NCO Aircrew Member of the Year, 445th Airlift Wing
2004 PHOENIX STRIPE, Air Mobility Command
2008 First Sergeant of the Year, 445th Airlift Wing
2008 First Sergeant of the Year, 4th Air Force
2008 First Sergeant of the Year, Air Force Reserve Command
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant October 2012
(Current as of May 2014)