David R. Wolfe

David R. Wolfe is a Chief Master Sergeant of the US Air Force (CMSAF) who became the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force December 8, 2025,^[1] and was chosen by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach for the position.^[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 replaced Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi who announced his retirement September 20, 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]

• 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

• 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.

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 Sgt. Thomas R. Wolfe,^[10] a combat photographer who documented the aftermath of the atomic bomb tests.