Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass visited the 341st Missile Wing Feb. 9-10.
Selected as the 19th CMSAF, Bass made history as the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking noncommissioned member of a U.S. military service branch.
Bass met with the 341st MW Airmen during an all-call to discuss her priorities, Air Force administrative changes and to answer any questions they had for her. She emphasized the need for the Air Force to accelerate change, or lose. To achieve that, according to Bass, the Air Force must modernize to better compete, deter and win.
She also visited a missile alert facility to learn more about the intercontinental ballistic missile mission and to meet with the missileers, defenders, maintainers and missile chefs.
"When it comes to our nuclear mission and how it impacts our national defense, our Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen has a direct impact," Bass said. "Our ICBM arsenal is critical in making sure adversaries think twice when it comes to considering any attack on our homeland, our allies and partners.
"It is an absolutely critical mission set for the United States Air Force," she concluded.
As CMSAF, Bass is responsible for providing direction for the enlisted force while also serving as the personal adviser to the chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization and progress of more than 600,000 Total Force Airmen.
Bass leads the enlisted side of the Air Force and is promoting the importance of people, readiness and culture.
In less than a year, Bass has accomplished significant changes within the Air Force with the latest change allowing women in the service to wear their hair in longer braids, ponytails and bangs; and removing waist measurements from composite scores in physical fitness assessments.
"It was an honor having Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Bass meet our Airmen," said Col. Anita Feugate-Opperman, 341st Missile Wing commander. "We were excited to have her learn about the intercontinental ballistic missile mission and the people who make it happen every day and we're grateful for her continued leadership."
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass engages with Airmen during an all-call Feb. 10, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Bass discussed her priorities, Air Force administrative changes and answered questions from the Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Truesdell)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass poses for a photo with Tech. Sgt. Danielle De Leon, 341st Healthcare Operations Squadron family health flight chief, during a coining ceremony Feb. 9, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. De Leon received a coin in place for Airman 1st Class Jepsy Magno, 341st HCOS aerospace medical technician, who was recognized as one of the 341st Missile Wing's outstanding performers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Truesdell)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass meets with the 341st Missile Wing's Diversity and Inclusion team Feb. 9, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The team focuses on diversity and unconscious bias training and events that celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of the Total Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Truesdell)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass receives a launch control center tour from missileers during her tour of a missile alert facility Feb. 9, 2021, near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Missileers are responsible for potential launches of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, the most responsive leg of the nuclear triad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Truesdell)
