Chief Master Sgt. David S. Jackson is the Command Chief, 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Chief Jackson leads the enlisted force and advises commanders on matters impacting the enlisted force, such as proper utilization, readiness, professional development, training and quality of life issues. He ensures the commander’s policies are widely publicized and understood by the enlisted force and serves as the functional manager for all assigned first sergeants. The 403rd Wing is an Air Force Reserve C-130J unit equipped wing that’s mission is to train, equip and employ airlift forces in global support of the nation’s interests. This includes the only weather reconnaissance mission in the Department of Defense as well as tactical airlift and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and agile combat support.
He enlisted in the regular Air Force in September 2000. After Basic Military Training he attended the Fuels Apprentice School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, graduating in December 2000. At his assignment to Dover AFB, he served in a variety of positions in the fuels career field. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserve as an Air Reserve Technician in August 2007, fulfilling roles as a Fuels Distribution Supervisor, Fuels Information Service Center Supervisor as well as additional management roles. During his time as a fuels specialist, he deployed in support of stateside and overseas contingency operations including operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn and Joint Task Force Katrina. In 2013, he cross-trained to become the Chief of Force Development leading the 512th Airlift Wing in all force development related matters.
In his civilian career, he serves as the Continuous Improvement and Innovation Officer and Lessons Learned Manager for the 512th Airlift Wing. Additionally, he periodically serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Wilmington University. Prior to his current position, Chief Jackson was the Fuels Manager, Headquarters Fourth Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. where he served as the principle fuels advisor for fuels career field training, readiness, manpower and force development for 17 Air Force Reserve Command units.
EDUCATION
2004 Airman Leadership School, Air University, Dover Air Force Base, Del.
2005 Associate of Science, Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Bachelor of Science, General Studies, Wilmington University, New Castle, Del., summa cum laude
2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, AU, Maxwell Gunter Annex, Ala., by correspondence
2009 NCO Leadership and Development Course, Air Force Reserve Command, Dover AFB, Del.
2010 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Level I, Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2011 Senior NCO Academy, AU, Maxwell Gunter Annex, Ala. by correspondence
2011 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, WU, New Castle, Del., cum laude
2012 Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, WU, New Castle, Del.
2012 U.S. Marine Corps Staff NCO Advanced Course, Camp Johnson, N.C.
2014 AFRC Senior NCO Leadership Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2014 Associate of Science, Education and Training Management, CCAF, AU, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Reserve Component National Security Course, NDU, Washington, D.C.
2016 Senior Enlisted JPME Level II, Joint Knowledge Online
2016 NATO Senior NCO Orientation Course M5-33, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2018 Chief Leadership Course, AU, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2018 AFRC Chief Orientation Course, AFRC Headquarters, Robins AFB, Ga.
2018 NATO Advanced Leadership Course, M1-9, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
2021 AF Squadron Officer School, AU, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2001 – August 2002, Fuels Distribution Operator, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del. (October 2001 – March 2002, Fuels Distribution Operator, 317th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, Sigonella Naval Air Station, Sicily)
2. August 2002 – May 2005, NCO In Charge, Base Fuels Laboratory, 436th LRS, Dover AFB, Del. (May 2003 – November 2003, NCO In Charge, Fuels Lab, Southwest Asia; Forward Area Refueling Point Operator, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Southwest Asia)
3. May 2005 – September 2006, Fuels Service Center Accountant, 436th LRS, Dover AFB, Del. (August 2005 – September 2005, Fuels Distribution Operator, Joint Task Force Katrina, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Miss.)
4. September 2006 – August 2007, Individual Ready Reserve, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley AFB, Colo.
5. August 2007 – March 2013, Fuels Operations Chief, 512th LRS, Dover AFB, Del. (November 2008 – January 2009, NCO In Charge, Refueling Maintenance, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, Transit Center at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan; February 2012 – August 2012, Fuels Distribution Operator, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor Air National Guard, Bangor, Maine)
6. March 2013 – July 2013, Assistant Chief, Force Development, 512th Force Support Squadron, Dover AFB, Del.
7. July 2013 – October 2018, Flight Chief, Force Development, 512th FSS, Dover AFB, Del.
8. October 2018 – December 2021, Senior Enlisted Leader, 512th LRS, Dover AFB, Del.
9. December 2021 – June 2023, Fuels Manager, 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (August 2021 – October 2021, Defense Ventures Fellow, Refinery Ventures, Cincinnati, Ohio; October 2021 – March 2022, AFWERX Innovation Fellowship, Washington D.C.)
10. June 2023 – Present, Command Chief, 403d Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and five oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Hourglass Device and two 'Mobilization' Devices
USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Airman Sept. 12, 2000
Airman First Class Oct. 30, 2000
Senior Airman Aug. 30, 2002
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2004
Technical Sergeant Oct. 1, 2007
Master Sergeant Oct. 1, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant Jan. 1, 2014
Chief Master Sergeant Oct. 1, 2019
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2023)