Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Wheatfield Air National Guard member named top enlisted airman in U.S. 1st Air Force

Fri, Aug 26th 2016 10:45 am

Command Chief Master Sgt. Richard King was formerly top enlisted leader in New York Air National Guard

A Wheatfield resident who served as the top enlisted leader for the New York Air National Guard from 2010 until this past July, is now the top enlisted airman in the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Continental U.S. Region and 1st Air Force.

Chief Master Sgt. Richard King took over his new duties as command chief master sergeant of the command, also known as Air Force North, during an Aug. 16 ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

King, a retired Niagara Falls police officer who left the force in 2009, previously served as the command chief of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing, before assuming his statewide role in 2010.

In his new role, King will be the senior enlisted adviser to Air Force Lt. Gen. Scott Williams.

As the command chief, his responsibilities include advising Williams on matters regarding the health, morale and welfare of assigned enlisted personnel and their families.

"Any chance I have to lead airmen, I want to do it!" King said. "I feel I owe it to the servicemen and women who sacrificed everything to give 100 percent. I'm ready to sprint for the next two years."

King was born and raised in Niagara Falls. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1978 and has served in the Air Force security police and security forces.

He transferred to the Air National Guard in 1982 and served in a number of leadership positions in the 107th Security Forces Squadron, including as first sergeant and non-commissioned officer in charge of combat arms training.

He has deployed to Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean as a security forces airman.

King's awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal, and the New York State Medal for Valor, the New York Defense of Liberty Ribbon, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Hometown News

View All News