Chief Master Sergeant Chad E. Workman is the Wisconsin Air National Guard Command Chief, Joint Force Headquarters, Madison, Wisconsin. As such, he is the top Air National Guard senior enlisted advisor to the Adjutant General on quality of life issues and concerns of the state’s 2,200 enlisted Airmen. In addition, he acts as liaison with the Assistant Adjutants General for Air and Army, the state Command Sergeant Major, Director of Staff and other staff members. He provides counsel to Wing commanders and works closely with Wing command chiefs and first sergeants. He has oversight of four geographically separated areas within the state, encompassing Airmen at the 115th Fighter Wing and Joint Force Headquarters in Madison, 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center near Camp Douglas.

Chief Workman entered the Air Force in June 1998, completing his training at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy in November 1998. While on active duty, Workman was assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base for nine years, where he worked through the ranks from firefighter to assistant fire chief of logistics, and completed two Middle East deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. In December 2006 he transitioned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard as a member of the 115th Civil Engineer Squadron. While assigned to the 115th, Workman fulfilled roles as station captain to fire chief. In 2021, as fire chief, he deployed to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Workman was an integral player in the development of the Air National Guard’s urban search and rescue program, improving domestic capabilities for the Air National Guard fire and emergency services, and assisting A4X — that part of the logistics, engineering and force protection section which includes civil engineering and fire protection — with domestic operations.

Prior to his current position, Chief Workman was the senior enlisted leader for the Wisconsin Air National Guard Air Staff, and before that served as the fire chief for the 115th Fire and Emergency Services at Truax Field in Madison. Additionally, Chief Workman has served with the city of Madison Fire Department since April 2007 as a firefighter, emergency medical technician-basic and rescue diver. He was recently promoted to lieutenant, and will serve in that capacity when his term as senior enlisted advisor is complete.

Chief Workman earned a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University at Orange Beach, Alabama in 2018. He also has an associate degree in Fire Science at the Community College of the Air Force in 2018, and has completed numerous military courses — to include military firefighting.

Chief Workman is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association, and the Air National Guard Fire Chief’s Association.

Chief Workman’s military awards include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Wisconsin National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon. During his military career he has been recognized as the noncommissioned officer of the year for the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas as well as at the 115th Civil Engineer Squadron at Truax Field, Madison. He has also received the Department of Defense National Preparedness Award, individual category.

23 Feb 2023