CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT ANTHONY R. SHOELS CMSgt Anthony Shoels is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces Directorate, as well as the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He provides leadership and guidance to over 2800 personnel while managing an active budget of $25.1B and overseeing 257 programs across 20 locations. Additionally, he advises Group and Squadron commanders on welfare, training, readiness and professional development of over 120 enlisted personnel. CMSgt Shoels entered the Texas Army National Guard in 2001 as a Petroleum Supply Specialist and later transitioned to Active-Duty Air Force in 2002. His background includes positions as a Weapons Load Crew Chief, Instructor Aerial Gunner in the HH-60G Pavehawk, Evaluator Special Mission Aviator in the TH-1H helicopter, and a MAJCOM Air Advisor Evaluator on the UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter. Throughout his career, he has filled numerous roles including Resource Advisor, Flight Chief, Squadron Superintendent, and Air Education and Training Commands Expeditionary Readiness Training Branch Manager. His assignments include bases in Texas, South Korea, New Mexico, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. He deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Prior to his current assignment, CMSgt Shoels was the Senior Enlisted Leader at the Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Florida. EDUCATION: 2006 Airman Leadership School, Holloman Air Force Base, NM 2011 Associate Degree, System Technology Aircraft Armament, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL 2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Washington, D.C., by correspondence 2015 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL 2017 USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Course 14, Maxwell AFB, AL., by correspondence 2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL 2018 Community College of the Air Force Instructor Certification Level 1, Maxwell AFB, AL 2018 Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Management and Technology, Arlington, VA 2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, National Defense University, Washington D.C., by correspondence 2021 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL 2022 Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, Joint Special Operations University (USSOCOM), Tampa, FL ASSIGNMENTS: 1.August 2002 – September 2002, Basic Training, 321st Training squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, TX 2.October 2002 – February 2003, B-1B Armament Systems Technical Training, Sheppard AFB, TX 3.March 2003 – July 2004, Armament Team Member, 7th Munitions Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX 4.July 2004 – August 2005, Weapons Load Crew Member, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea 5.August 2005 – March 2007, Maintenance Operation Control Center, 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM 6.March 2007 – March 2008, Weapons Load Crew Chief, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Holloman AFB, NM 7.March 2008 – March 2009, Aerial Gunner Initial Qualification Student, 512th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM 8.March 2009 – August 2015, HH-60G Instructor, Special Mission Aviator, Training, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA 9.August 2015 – March 2020, Squadron Superintendent, 23d Flying Training Squadron, Fort Rucker, AL 10. March 2020 – August 2022, Branch Manager, Ready Airman Training, HQ, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX 11. August 2022 – July 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, FL (February 2023 - July 2023, Interim Group Senior Enlisted Leader, 492 Special Operations Training Group, Hurlburt Field, FL) (March 2024 - October 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 1st Expeditionary Special Operations Group, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti) 12. July 2025 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, ISR/SOF Directorate and 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Air Medal with twelve oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Combat Action Medal OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS: 2012 NCO of the Year, 347th Rescue Group 2014 NCO of the Year, 347th Rescue Group 2020 Division SNCO of the Year, Air Education and Training Command 2023 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 492d Special Operations Wing EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION: Chief Master Sergeant Nov 1, 2024 (Current as of July 2025)