JoAnne S. Bass (/bæs/) (born June 15, 1974) is a retired senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force and the nineteenth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. She became the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and the first female to hold the highest senior enlisted rank in any United States military branch, on August 14, 2020,[3] having been selected for the position on June 19.[4] She is also the first person of Asian-American descent to hold the highest senior enlisted position in the Air Force.[5] At the time of her selection, she was the Second Air Force's Command Chief Master Sergeant at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, which she had reported to in July 2018.[6] Air Force News reported "incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown said Bass brings skills, temperament and experience that the job requires and an outlook on leadership that meshes with his own", and that he "could not be more excited to work side-by-side with Chief Bass."[4]
JoAnne S. Bass | |
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Born | [1][2] Mililani, Hawaii, United States | June 15, 1974
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1993–2024 |
Rank | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force |
Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Awards | |
Alma mater | |
Bass is originally from Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii.[7] Her mother is of Korean descent and her father is a retired United States Army warrant officer. Her family lived in many stateside and overseas locations.[5]
Bass joined the United States Air Force in 1993, specializing in aviation resource management. Bass's first duty assignment was at Pope Air Force Base, near Fayetteville, North Carolina. Later she was assigned to the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base, near San Angelo, Texas.[4] In 2011, while assigned to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, she was selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.[3] She has participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[7]
Bass was promoted to chief master sergeant on August 1, 2013,[8] and to chief master sergeant of the Air Force on August 14, 2020.[3]
Bass was succeeded by CCM David A. Flosi on March 8, 2024 before her retirement.[9]
Air Force Master Command and Control Badge | |
Headquarters Air Force Badge |
This article incorporates public domain material from JoAnne S. Bass, USAF biography. United States Air Force.