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Whitehead named 127th Wing command chief

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samara Taylor
  • 127th Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --  The 127th Wing has a new command chief master sergeant.

Chief Master Sgt. Tony Whitehead assumed the duties of the Wing's senior enlisted member during the Wing's annual awards ceremony during the December RSD (regularly scheduled drill). During the ceremony, the wing's outgoing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dobson, passed the baton to Whitehead. Dobson will remain with the Wing to help with the transition and to manage the student flight program.

As the wing command chief, Whitehead will serve as the primary advisor on all enlisted matters for Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, the 127th Wing commander. Whitehead will also provide leadership to the enlisted force and serve as the functional managers for group superintendents and first sergeants in the Wing.

Whitehead, previously served two years as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

During his remarks in the formal ceremony, Whitehead mentioned he is looking forward to being a part of the future growth of the 127th Wing is glad to be a part of the Selfridge family.
"I plan to be visible and engaged," Whitehead said.

Whitehead served on active duty in the Air Force and as a member of the Florida Air National Guard, His background encompasses a myriad of positions and assignments in the Security Forces career field.

Slocum praised Dobson upon his retirement.

"He has been a wise counsel," said the general "It has been one team, one voice working together in leadership. He has been a great help to the men and women of the 127th Wing."

During Dobson's speech he requested the guests seated in the front rows to turn around and recognize the members of the 127th Wing: "These are the men and women who protect and serve by an oath to protect even if it means their life," he told the audience.

"It was an honor and privilege to serve as command chief for the past five years," Dobson said. "Chief Whitehead is an experienced and capable, the wing is in very good hands."

About the 127th Wing
Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command operations by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 98th year of continuous military air operations in 2015.