Chief Master Sgt. James H. Bolling is the Command Chief at 446 Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He advises the commander and staff on matters of health, morale, welfare, training, professional development, and utilization of over 1,350 enlisted personnel. The chief serves as the commander’s representative on councils, boards, and military and local civilian community events. He functions as the liaison and spokesperson between the enlisted force and the commander.
Chief Bolling entered the United States Air Force in January 2000, graduating the Security Forces Apprentice Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in December 2000. Chief Bolling was assigned to the 56th Security Forces Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona as Security Forces Specialist and Law Enforcement Patrolman. In 2003 he was stationed at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland as Security Forces Controller and Fire team Leader with the 85th Security Forces Squadron. In 2005 Chief Bolling was assigned to the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma where he was a Flight Chief. In 2006 he joined the Air Force Reserves with the 507th Security Forces Squadron, Tinker AFB, where he held the roles of Squad Leader, Operations Superintendent, Training Superintendent and Security Forces Manager. Prior to his current position, Chief Bolling served as the inaugural Senior Enlisted Leader of the 931st Mission Support Group, McConnell AFB, Kansas.
Chief Bolling deployed in 2002 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM supporting KC-135 aircraft as Fire Team Leader & Security Controller at Camp Oasis, Bahrain, in 2007 in support of IRAQI FREEDOM as a Base Defense Radio Telephone Operator and Air Force Liaison at the Army Tactical Operation Center, Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, in 2013 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as the NCOIC of Plans and Programs and Base Closure and Transition Team, Transit Center Manas, Kyrgyzstan, and in 2021 in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and SPARTAN SHIELD as the Senior Enlisted Leader at Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait. In his civilian capacity, the Chief is the Assistant Chief of Police, City of Purcell, Oklahoma.
EDUCATION
2000 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2000 Security Forces Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2003 Airman Leadership School, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland
2006 Security Forces Craftsman Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2008 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2013 Security Forces Phoenix Warrior Head Quarters Course, Fort Dix, N.J.
2014 Anti-terrorism Level II, Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas
2014 Integrated Defense Command and Control Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2018 AFRC Senior NCO Leadership Course, Tinker AFB, Okla.2018 A.A.S. Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course I, Joint Forces Staff College
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II, Joint Forces Staff College
2020 Air Force Reserve Command CMSgt Orientation Course, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
2024 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, American Public University, Charles Town, WV
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2000 - August 2000, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. August 2000 - December 2000, Security Forces Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas.
3. December 2000 - August 2003, Fire team Member (deployed Fire team leader, September 2002 – December 2002, Camp Oasis, Bahrain), 56th Security Forces Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. September 2005 - August 2006, Flight Chief/Security Forces Controller, 85th Security Forces Squadron, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland
5. September 2005 - August 2006, Flight Chief/Patrol Leader, 72nd Security Forces Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
6. August 2006 - May 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader (deployed Squad leader/BDOC, Dec 2007 Aug 2008, Kirkuk, Iraq; deployed Plans & Programs/Base Transition Team Lead, Manas, Kyrgyzstan), 507th Security Forces Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
7. June 2021 - January 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 387th Expeditionary Security Forces, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
8. June 2022 - May 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 931st Mission Support Group, McConnell AFB, Kansas
9. June 2024 – Present, Command Chief, 446 Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
507 MSG SNCO of the Quarter, January – March 2014
376 EMSG SNCO of the Month, January – February 2014
CMSgt Etchberger Award, April – May 2011
85 MSG NCO of the Quarter, October - December 2004
56 AW Airman of the Quarter, April – June 2002
56 MSG Airman of the Quarter, April – June 2002
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant Aug. 1, 2019
(Current as of July 2024)