National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson tapped Chief Master Sgt. Tony L. Whitehead as the bureau’s next senior enlisted adviser, the organization announced Aug. 5.
“Whitehead brings with him tremendous leadership experience earned during a remarkable career in the Air Force and Air National Guard,” Hokanson said in an NGB release. “His energy and experience will be invaluable in taking care of our outstanding National Guard Soldiers and Airmen as they meet today’s unprecedented challenges at home and abroad.”
Hokanson also endorsed Whitehead in a letter to the force that he shared on Twitter the same day:
Whitehead, who has spent nearly 40 years in uniform, more than half of which have been with the Air National Guard, succeeds Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner in the role.
Whitehead most recently pulled double duty as command chief master sergeant for Air Forces Northern and the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
His other previous assignments include serving as the Puerto Rico National Guard’s command chief master sergeant, and as command chief for both the Air National Guard Readiness Center and the Michigan ANG’s 127th Wing, according to his service biography.
Whitehead holds an Associate’s degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration. He has studied at U.S. military institutions including National Defense University and the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.