A retired Western New York police officer who served as the top enlisted leader for the New York Air National Guard now has a new role.
Chief Master Sgt. Richard King of Wheatfield is the top enlisted airman in the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Continental U.S. Region and 1st Air Force. King took over as command chief master sergeant of the command, also known as Air Force North, during a ceremony held at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
King is now the senior enlisted adviser to Air Force Lt. Gen. Scott Williams. King, who retired from the Niagara Falls Police Department in 2009, assumed his statewide role as the top enlisted airman in the Air Guard in 2010. He held that position until late last month.
“Any chance I have to lead Airmen, I want to do it!” King said. “I feel I owe it to the servicemen and women who sacrificed everything to give 100 percent. I’m ready to sprint for the next two years.”
King entered the Air Force in 1982 and served as a Security Forces Specialist for 22 years. He has served in various leadership assignments. First Air Force is one of three numbered air forces responsible for ensuring the air sovereignty and air defense of the continental United States.
