Chief Master Sgt. Shirley M. Wilcox is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. A key air refueling unit in Air Force Reserve Command and the Air Force’s first Integrated Wing (I-Wing), the 916th ARW flies the KC-135R Stratotanker in support of the Air Force's worldwide contingency operations involving aerial refueling, airlift of cargo and passengers, and aeromedical evacuations. Chief Wilcox is the principal advisor to the wing commander on all matters of morale, welfare, professional development, readiness and operation utilization of more than 1000 enlisted Airmen.
A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Chief Wilcox enlisted on active duty in the Air Force in July 1996. After basic training and technical school at Shepherd AFB, Texas, she was assigned to Charleston AFB, South Carolina as an aircraft fuel systems apprentice working on C-141 Starlifter and C-17 Globemaster aircraft. In July 2004, Chief Wilcox shifted from active duty to the Air Force Reserve. Her assignments have included traditional reservist and Air Reserve Technician positions in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Chief Wilcox has supported various operations to include operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector, and Inherent Resolve. Before assuming her current position, she served as Superintendent for the 916th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB.
EDUCATION
2001 Airman Leadership School, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
2005 Associate Degree, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 AFRC NCO Leadership and Development Course, Charleston AFB, S.C.
2008 NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME) Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Bachelor of Science, Human Resource Management, University of Mount Olive, N.C.
2014 AFRC Chief Orientation Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2015 Professional Managers Certification, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 DAWIA Level 1 Certification Product Quality Management, Defense Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course (II).
2017 Continuous Process Improvement for Executives, Institute for Defense and Business, Chapel Hill, N.C
2017 AFRC Command Chief Orientation Course, Robins AFB, Ga
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1996 – August 1996, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 1996 – October 1996, Aircraft Fuel Systems Technical Training Course, Shepherd AFB, Texas
3. October 1996 – June 1999, Aircraft Fuel Systems, 437th EMS/CMS, Charleston AFB, S.C.
4. June 1999 – October 2001, MACC Controller, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C.
5. October 2001 – July 2004, Aircraft Fuel Systems Craftsman, 437th Maintenance Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
6. July 2004 – April 2009, Aircraft Fuel Systems Craftsman, 315th Maintenance Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
7. April 2009 – November 2012, Aircraft Fuel Systems Craftsman, 916th Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
8. November 2012 – March 2014, Accessories Flight Chief, 916th Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
9. March 2014 – October 2015, Specialist Superintendent, 916th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
10. October 2015 – February 2016, Maintenance Superintendent, 916th Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
11. February 2016 – June 2016, Superintendent, 916th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
12. June 2016 – Present, Command Chief, 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
AF Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
AF Longevity Service
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class July 17, 1996
Senior Airman Nov. 17, 1998
Staff Sergeant Nov. 1, 2001
Technical Sergeant Jan. 1, 2005
Master Sergeant July 1, 2011
Senior Master Sergeant July 1, 2013
Chief Master Sergeant July 1, 2015
(Current as of January 2017)