Chief Master Sgt. Jacquita F. Melton serves as command chief of the 178th Wing at Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio. The wing provides ready units to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, command and control, and operations support in order to carry out federal and state missions while remaining active in the local community. As command chief, she is responsible for all matters influencing mission readiness, professional development, training, proper utilization, health, morale, and welfare issues of 1,200 Airmen.
Melton hails from Gray, Georgia and entered the Air Force in July 1999 as an airfield management specialist. After serving seven years on active duty, she transferred to the Air Force Reserves. In 2007, she transferred to the Ohio Air National Guard. She served as an operations intelligence analyst where she supported a diverse mission set that included dynamic coordination with ground forces, target analysis, ensuring aircrew awareness, and mission flow. Melton has held a variety of leadership roles at the wing and state levels. She has deployed twice in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. As a mission intelligence coordinator with the MQ-9 Reaper, she supported Operations New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, Nomad Shadow, and Inherent Resolve.
Melton is a small business owner in addition to her role as command chief. She is committed to strengthening community connections through charitable services and contributions. Before assuming her current position, she served as senior enlisted leader for the 178th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group at Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio
EDUCATION:
1999 Airfield Management Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB Mississippi
2004 Airmen Leadership School, Eglin AFB, Florida
2005 Airfield Management Craftsman Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2009 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2010 Bachelor of Science (cum Laude), Applied Management, Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio
2011 Operations Intelligence Apprentice Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2014 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2014 Associates Degree in Aviation Management, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Associates Degree in Intelligence Studies and Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Professional Management Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2015 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence
2015 International Non-Commissioned Officer Development Seminar, Winnipeg, Canada
2016 Master of Business Administration, Liberty University, Virginia
2017 Senior Enlisted Intelligence ISR Master Skills Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2017 Air Force Operations Security Course, Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Education II, by correspondence
2020 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Virtual Course, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
2021 ANG Contemporary Base Issues Course, Virtual Course
2022 Defense Support of Civil Authorities Phase I, by correspondence
2023 Clark County Community Leadership Academy, Springfield, Ohio
2023 ANG Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2023 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 Executive Leadership Program in Managing for Inclusion, Virtual Course, Georgetown University, Washington D.C
ASSIGNMENTS:
- November 1999 – February 2005, Airfield Management Operations Supervisor, 46th Operations Support Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida (September 2001 – March 2002, Airfield Management Team Member, Al Udeid, Qatar, September 2004 - January 2005, Airfield Management Supervisor, Kirkuk AB, Iraq)
- February 2005 – February 2006, Airfield Management Supervisor, 412th Operations Support Squadron, Edwards AFB, California
- February 2006 – November 2006, Aviation Resource Management Helper, 403rd Operations Support Flight, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
- November 2006 – August 2007, Airfield Management Craftsman (IMA), 1st Special Operations Support Flight, Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida
- August 2007 – November 2010, Airfield Management Operations Craftsman, 178th Operations Support Squadron, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
- November 2010 – December 2017, Mission Intelligence Coordinator, 162nd Attack Squadron, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
- December 2017 – July 2020, Senior Enlisted Leader, 178th Operations Support Squadron, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
- July 2020 – May 2021, Senior Enlisted Leader, 126th Intelligence Squadron, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
- May 2021 – December 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 178th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
- December 2022 – Present, Command Chief, 178th Wing, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with four service stars
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon with one device
Ohio Award of Merit with two devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 Top Performer Award, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuscan, Arizona
2010 Cum Laude, Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio
2015 Mission Crew of the Quarter, 432d Air Expeditionary Wing, Creech AFB, Nevada
2019 Superior Performer, ACC Unit Effectiveness Inspection, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
2019 Major General Mechenbier Unit Award, Springfield ANGB, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Ohio, Member
Clark State College Scholars Program, Mentor
Air Force Sergeants Association, Member
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman Basic July 14, 1999
Airman Jan. 14, 2000
Airman First Class Nov. 14, 2000
Senior Airman July 14, 2002
Staff Sergeant May 1, 2004
Technical Sergeant May 15, 2008
Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2016
Chief Master Sergeant March 1, 2020
(Current as of April 2023)