Chief Master Sergeant Richelle D. Baker is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. As the installation’s host Command Chief, she is the primary advisor to the Wing Commander on all matters concerning the health, morale, welfare, training, professional development, career progression, and the effective utilization of the base enlisted force. She serves as the Commander’s representative for numerous military and civic functions, boards, councils, and committees. Additionally, she supports the generation of combat-ready B-1B Lancer aircraft, crews, and the associated combat support for global engagement taskings. Her impact reaches more than 13,000 active-duty members, civilian employees, and family members.
Chief Baker entered the Air Force in January 1998 and graduated from the aerospace medical service apprentice course in August 1998. She has served in the Air Force for 25 years and has held a variety of positions within the medical community such as Aeromedical Evacuation Technician and Aeromedical Evacuation Command and Control Contingency Planner. Throughout her career, Chief Baker has filled a myriad of leadership positions including First Sergeant, Inspector General, Directorate and Squadron Superintendent, and Group Senior Enlisted Leader. Her stateside assignments include bases in California, Oklahoma, North Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas. Chief Baker has served overseas at Landstuhl, Germany and Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. She has also deployed in support of multiple overseas and stateside contingency operations. Prior to assuming her current position, Chief Baker served as the Senior Enlisted Leaders for the 59th Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
EDUCATION
1998 Aerospace Medical Apprentice Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Airmen Leadership School, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2004 Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Course, Brooks AFB, Texas
2006 Bachelors of Art, Criminal Justice, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2007 Associate of Applied Health Science degree, Community College of the Air Force
2007 USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2009 Aeromedical Evacuation Command and Control Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2009 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Office Academy, by correspondence
2010 Master of Art, Criminal Justice, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2010 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2010 USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2011 Associate of Human Resource Management degree, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2015 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course Phase II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2019 Chief Leadership Course, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2019 Air Force Inspector General Training Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2021 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Andrews AFB, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1998 – May 2000, Medical Service Apprentice, 95th Medical Operations Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2. June 2000 – June 2003, Aerospace Medical Journeyman, 86th Medical Operations Squadron, Landstuhl, Germany
3. July 2003 – August 2004, Aerospace Medical Journeyman, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron., Tinker AFB, Okla.
4. October 2004 - January 2009, Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
5. January 2009 - October 2010, Contingency Aeromedical Evacuation Planner, 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
6. October 2010 – August 2011, First Sergeant, 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, N.J.
7. August 2011 – November 2012, First Sergeant, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
8. November 2012 – October 2013, First Sergeant, United States Air Force Expeditionary Center, JB McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, N.J.
9. November 2013 – November 2014, First Sergeant, 8th Operations Group, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
10. December 2014 – March 2015, First Sergeant, 45th Operations Group, Patrick AFB, Fla.
11. March 2015 – October 2016, First Sergeant, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
12. October 2016 – December 2017, Superintendent, 45th Medical Operations Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fla.
13. December 2017 – October 2018, Superintendent, 55th Medical Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
14. October 2018 – July 2019, Superintendent, 55th Medical Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
15. July 2019 – June 2021, Superintendent, Medical Operations Directorate, Department of the Air Force Inspection Agency, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
16. June 2021 – April 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 59th Training Group, JB San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas
17. May 2023 – Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Basic Airman Aircrew member
Flight Hours: More than 810 hours including more than 270 combat hours
Aircraft Assignments: C-17, C-130 E/H, KC-135
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2005 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Month, 375th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
2009 NCO of the Quarter, 21st Air Mobility Operation Squadron
2009 NCO of the Quarter, 621st Contingency Operations Support Group
2009 NCO of the Year, 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron
2010 Top Performer, Combined Air & Space Operations Center
2012 First Sergeant of the Year, USAF Expeditionary Center
2015 First Sergeant of the Year, Air Force Technical Applications Center
2017 Lance P. Sijan Nominee, 45th Medical Group
2017 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter, 45th Medical Group
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic Jan. 7, 1998
Airman July 7, 1998
Airman First Class May 7, 1999
Senior Airman Jan. 7, 2001
Staff Sergeant Aug. 1, 2002
Technical Sergeant July 1, 2006
Master Sergeant July 1, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2014
Chief Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2019
(Current as of May 2023)