Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma. (October 19, 2023): In this photo by Airman 1st Class Erika Chapa, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass shares a laugh with members of the 137th Special Operations Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard during a combat skills demonstration. Pictured with the top NCO is Technical Sergeant Jaboree Kiel (Left), Mission Sustainment Team trainer, Staff Sergeant Tyrone Harrison (Right), a civil engineer Airman, and Chief Master Sgt. John Alsvig, the Air Force First Sergeant Special Duty Manager.
Chief Bass is the first female to hold the highest senior enlisted rank in any United States military branch and the first person of Asian-American descent to hold such a lofty rank. Chief Bass was raised as a “military brat” living in multiple locations stateside and overseas before joining the Air Force herself in 1993.
She has held a variety of increasingly responsible leadership positions including significant Special Operations experience. Having served as a squadron, group, and wing commander, She deployed to Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to this assignment, she served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Second Air Force, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. She has been awarded the Air Force Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, among numerous other decorations.
The 137th Special Operations Wing is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard that provides light tactical manned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the national Special Operations Command.
The 137 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron adds a global medical airlift capability for America's injured or wounded. Another element of the 137th, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron, dispatches Tactical Air Control Parties to various US Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams around the world.
It is obvious Chief Bass feels right at home with the Special Ops community.