Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth R. Wilson is the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 47th Operations Group, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He is the principal advisor to the Group Commander and 7 Squadron Commanders on morale, welfare, training, development, and effective utilization of 150 enlisted service members across 8 diverse career fields, 290 commissioned officers, and 160 civilian employees. He provides an operations leadership perspective at the world’s most extensive pilot training base, graduating more than 350 combat-ready students annually. The group operates 209 aircraft and flight simulators comprised of the T1-A Jayhawk, T-6A Texan-II, and the T-38C Talon, valued at over $1.1 billion, and flies more than 56,000 sorties each year.

Leads 152 Officer, Enlisted, and Civilian personal, conducting global combat airlift, airdrop, and humanitarian operations across all Seven Continents. Primary advisor to the Squadron Commander and Director of Operations regarding planning, unit policy & effective utilization of 144 Airmen aviators operating an $8.6 Billion C-17A Globemaster fleet in support of national strategic objectives. Counsels unit leadership, flight commanders, and supervisors on Enlisted Performance Reports, Force Distribution; oversees $250K annual budget, skill-level upgrades, unit manning, and training programs. Mentors enlisted personal on job performance, developmental training, professional education, and career advancement.

Leads 75 military & civilian staff across 13 flights/20 Air Force Specialty Codes. Provides critical functions supporting Programmed Flight Training in Air Education Training Command's most diverse training wing. Performs personnel performance report & decoration reviews. Manages staff awards program & resolves staff manpower issues. Functions as Deputy Director of Staff; assists wing task management, coordination & product presentations, and Distinguished Visitor itinerary review. Fully qualified MC/HC-130J Loadmaster that instructs students & cadre in aircraft systems, covert low-level, infil/exfil, airdrop, resupply & air refueling mission ops

Leads 70 Airmen, civilians, and contractors in Special Operations Forces/Personnel Recovery HC/MC-130J Formal Training Unit. Supplies 386 combat ready aviators to 13 units annually. Directs graduate-level A/E/H/MC-130J aircrew training in 37 Air Education Training Command syllabi utilizing 8 aircraft/9 training devices & simulators valued at $786M. Coordinates manpower with 5 Air Force Major Commands. Directly mentors & develops 91 elite dual-qualified Formal Training Unit instructors & support Airmen. Instructs students & cadre in aircraft systems, covert low-level, infil/exfil, airdrop, resupply & air refueling mission operations

Lead and mentor 40 enlisted personnel across 4 Air Force Career Fields. Advises squadron Commander on enlisted issues, career actions, and morale. Executes NVG low-level, helicopter refueling, infiltration and exfiltration of special operational forces, air-to-air refueling, airdrop and airland qualifications. Oversees personnel management actions, assignments, qualifications, unit training, skill-level proficiency, and enlisted career advancement. Manages control flow processing of squadron correspondence, performance reports, awards, decorations for a specialized unit in support of $32M/4K flying hour program.

Manages 5-person crew charged w/ employing $72M MC-130J in support of EUCOM/AFRICOM & US/allied SOF. Executes NVG-aided low-level, helo air refueling (HAR), infiltration/exfiltration, and equipment/personnel airdrops. Responsible for preflight, load planning, weight and balance, operation of aircraft equip, & restraint of mission cargo. Flight Chief of plans office ISO crisis action & contingency planning for EUCOM/AFRICOM areas of responsibility

Assists the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) aircrews in loading and off loading C-130 aircraft. Observes and provides feedback on pre-flight, in flight, and post-flight of aircraft and aircraft systems. Assists the RSAF in ensuring their aircrews are proficient in performing loadmaster aircrew functions, computing weight and balance, and other mission specific qualifications duties. Trains the Saudi aircrews in conducting Heavy Equipment, Container Delivery System , and personnel airdrops. Advises wing and base leadership in ensuring the RSAF loadmasters are trained and proficient in all associated functions required for a successful mission. Assists the RSAF on requesting Mobil Training Teams, implementing changes, and instructing loadmasters on new material.

Leads 8 personnel on inspection of Container, Heavy Equipment, Low Cost-Low Altitude delivery systems in support of a 36.5K fight hour program. Advises Commander and Chief Enlisted Manager on morale & enlisted matters. Mentors Airmen & Non-Commissioned Officers on professional development & career progression. Manages equipment & facility resources valued in excess of $1M and 3 Unit Type Code inventories valued at $365K. Conducts individual & group counseling, monitors manning levels & maintains C-130H Loadmaster airland/airdrop qualifications.

Combat ready, worldwide tactical, night vision goggles airland & airdrop Evaluator Loadmaster qualified in C-130E/H1/H3 operations. Ensures standardization of personnel airdrop, parachutes, equipment, extraction system aerial delivery installation. Evaluates preflight and post flight inspections, weight & balance, on-/off-loading procedures, safety & aerial delivery methods, and oversight of aircrew quality assurance activities. Examines personnel on in-flight duties, cargo security, defensive systems, emergency & anti-hijacking procedures.

Conducts classroom & hands-on aircraft maintenance instruction. Facilitates & evaluates student learning of aircraft maintenance procedures. Counsels & advises students on academic & non-academic strengths, weaknesses, failures, proficiency & personal matters. Recommends & advises leadership on student performance, advancement, remedial study, wash back, elimination actions. Reviews, revises, evaluates & develops instructional material, training aids, course ware & technical data, exams, literature, equipment.

Responsibilities include the overall maintenance support for 15 MH-53J/M Pave Low Special Operations helicopters valued at over $630 million. Provides test equipment, special tools, and coordinates programs and plans affecting maintenance & support mobility pallets. Monitors, inspects, maintains, and updates for over 3,500 technical orders. Ensures inventory, control, security, quarterly inspections, and proper maintenance of over $4 million of assigned composite tool kits utilizing the automated tool accountability system. Maintains test, measurement & diagnostic equipment for deployments. Initiates audits of maintenance source data for accuracy, timeliness, storage, and compliance with directives for the unit's hazardous material management program. Deploys worldwide in support of contingency operations as directed by the Secretary of Defense.