RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin W. Hedden was selected as the new U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa command chief master sergeant.
As the command chief, Hedden is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander on all matters affecting operations, training and readiness, health, morale and welfare, discipline and effective use of more than 32,000 total force personnel assigned to eight wings and 88 geographically separated units responsible for operations across 104 countries.
“This major command is known for having the best multi-capable Airmen in the Air Force, and I look forward to developing our enlisted force into an even stronger warfighting capability,” Hedden said
Previously, Hedden was the command chief master sergeant for 15th Air Force, Shaw Air Force, South Carolina.
Hedden entered the Air Force in August of 1995 and has served in key leadership positions at the group, squadron and flight levels. He was also previously assigned to U.S. Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, as a military training instructor and has been involved in operations Joint Forge, Allied Force, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
Hedden assumed his new duties Sept. 1, 2021. He succeeds Chief Master Sgt. Brion P. Blais, who will be the senior enlisted leader for NATO Allied Command Transformation.