David R. Wolfe

David R. Wolfe is a senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force, who has served as the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force since December 8, 2025. Wolfe has served in the U.S. Air Force since enlisting in 1992, serving mainly as a Security Forces Airman, which is the U.S. Air Force version of military police. He succeeded Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi, who announced his retirement in September 2025 due to the death of his wife.

Wolfe served in a number of joint assignments with other U.S. military services. He deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

Early career In July 1992, Airman Wolfe was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base received nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for an undisclosed infraction. Only on year later, Airman 1st Class Wolfe was the 321st Missile Squadron Airman of the Year.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Wolfe sees China as the most important threat to the United States currently.

Controversies On January 30, 2026, CMSAF Wolfe and the USAF Chief of Staff issued a memo instructing Air Force Security personnel manning the base gates to use, “Professional greetings—at installation entry control points and throughout interactions with the public." This quickly opened up the airmen to ridicule with both airmen and civilians saying that the greetings were unneeded and "dumb."

Education Wolfe was the distinguished graduate of the Airman Leadership School in Aviano, Italy in 1997. He completed his associates of police science from the Community College of the Air Force in 1999, with three bronze oak leaf clusters Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf clusters Joint Service Commendation Medal Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Joint Meritorious Unit Award Meritorious Unit Award (Air and Space Forces) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two silver oak leaf clusters and V device Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award

Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze campaign star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N device

Air and Space Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clusters Air and Space Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with one silver and two bronze oak leaf cluster Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster and gold frame Air and Space Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star device Air and Space Training Ribbon NATO Medal with two bronze star devices

Personal life Wolfe is married to Dr. Doniel Wolfe, He is the son of Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas R. Wolfe, a combat photographer with the 6th Photographic Technical Squadron, who documented the aftermath of the atomic bomb tests as well as photographs in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombings.