Chief Master Sergeant Jeffrey A. Ling is the Command Chief for the 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He serves as the key advisor to the Wing commander on the technical and professional development of the Wing’s enlisted members. Chief Ling’s responsibilities include articulating the commander’s vision of operational readiness, developing leaders, and providing a healthy and equitable environment in which the enlisted force may thrive and accomplish the mission.
Chief Ling enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 as an Aircraft Fuels Systems Repair Technician and served six years on active duty. In 1996 he enlisted with the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, as a drill status guardsman. In 2005 Chief Ling accepted a technician position with the 168th Maintenance Squadron’s fuel cell shop and served in this position for four years. He has served as a First Sergeant in both the 168th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 168 Air Refueling Wing headquarters and was the Chief of Security Forces and SEL for LRS until accepting his current poistion. Chief Ling’s deployments include Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and Operation NEW DAWN.
EDUCATION
1990 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1990 Aircraft Fuel systems Repair, Chanute AFB, Ill.
1991 F-16 Fuel system repair course, Hill AFB, Utah
2003 Airman Leadership School, by correspondence
2005 Aircraft Fuel Cell maintenance 7 Level Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2006 Bachelors of Science, Management, Wayland Baptist University, Texas
2007 Noncommissioned Officer School, by correspondence
2009 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence
2013 Associates of Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2013 Associates of Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Security Forces Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2015 Security Forces Craftsman Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2015 Associates of Police Science, Community College of the Air Force
2016 ANG Chief’s Executive Course, Crystal City, Washington D.C.
2019 Masters of Art, Human Resource Management, Wayland Baptist University, Texas
2021 Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
2021 Basic Incident Command System for initial response, ICS-200
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1990 – August 1990, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. August 1990 – October 1990, Fuel Cell Apprentice Course, Chanute AFB, Ill.
3. October 1990 – February 1992, Fuel Systems Helper, 379th Component Repair Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Mich.
4. February 1992 – February 1996, Fuel Systems Mechanic, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
5. February 1996 – July 2009, Fuel System Specialist, 168th Maintenance Squadron, AKANG, Eielson AFB, Alaska
6. July 2009 – October 2011, First Sergeant, 168th Logistics Readiness Squadron, AKANG, Eielson AFB, Alaska
7. October 2011 – June 2013, First Sergeant, 168th Air Refueling Wing, AKANG, Eielson AFB, Alaska
8. June 2013 – January 2019, Security Forces Manager, 168th Security Forces Squadron, AKANG, Eielson AFB, Alaska
9. February 2019 – Present, Logistics Superintendent, 168th Logistics Readiness squadron, AKANG, Eielson AFB, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal Two Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Alaska Commendation Medal
Alaska Governors Distinguished Unit Citation
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2014, Distinguished Graduate, Security Forces Apprentice School
2011, 168th Air Refueling Wing First Sergeant of the Year
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Armed Forces Sergeants Association
Alaska Peace Officers Association
Wayland Baptist Advisory Board
Tanana Valley Baptist Association, President/Moderator
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic July 9, 1990
Airman January 9, 1991
Airman First Class, November 9, 1991
Senior Airman, July 9, 1993
Staff Sergeant, May 3, 2003
Technical Sergeant, February 11, 2007
Master Sergeant, September 9, 2009
Senior Master Sergeant, March 22, 2012
Chief Master Sergeant, December 15, 2015
(Current as of April 2022)