{"id":24509,"date":"2020-08-14T19:58:07","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T19:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/08\/14\/chief-bass-becomes-19th-chief-master-sergeant-of-the-air-force-as-wright-retires\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:43:12","slug":"chief-bass-becomes-19th-chief-master-sergeant-of-the-air-force-as-wright-retires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2020\/08\/14\/chief-bass-becomes-19th-chief-master-sergeant-of-the-air-force-as-wright-retires\/","title":{"rendered":"Chief Bass becomes 19th chief master sergeant of the Air Force as Wright retires"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chief Master Sgt. JoAnne Bass<\/a> on Friday became the 19th chief master sergeant of the Air Force at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews<\/a> in Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bass is the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in any of the military services. She is also the first person of Asian-American descent to be the Air Force\u2019s top enlisted leader. She succeeded Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright, who served in that role since February 2017 and retired at the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bass was previously the command chief of the Second Air Force. Her husband, Rahn, and their daughters, Jasmine and Jada, were present at the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Chief of Staff Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown congratulates Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass during the transfer of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (Andy Morataya\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In her remarks, Bass noted the historic nature of her appointment as chief master sergeant of the Air Force, which followed the Aug. 6 swearing in of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles \u201cCQ\u201d Brown as the first Black service chief in U.S. military history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a moment that could not have taken place without the efforts of many women who have gone before me,\u201d Bass said. She saluted Esther Blake, who in 1948 became the first woman to enlist in the Air Force, \u201con the first minute of the first hour of the first day when women were authorized to join the United States Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur Air Force today is on the right side of history,\u201d Bass said. \u201cWe are focused on setting a foundation for all Americans to see themselves in this great institution. Everyone has a place in our Air Force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t