Chief Master Sgt. John K. Elliott is the Command Chief of the 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Mississippi. As the Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) to the base commander, Chief Elliott serves as the key enlisted advocate and advisor on operational effectiveness, and the training and equipping of enlisted Airmen. He facilitates communication between the base commander and the enlisted force, ensuring the commander's directions and policies are implemented. Additionally, he provides leadership and guidance to the Wing’s First Sergeants and represents the command’s enlisted force at various military and civilian conferences, forums, and speaking engagements.
Chief Elliott enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September 1991 as a firefighter. Over his distinguished career, he has held a variety of positions including Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Special Agent, Assistant Chief of Training, and Fire Chief. His extensive experience spans both civilian and military roles within the fire service career field, and he has deployed in support of multiple operations including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Promise, Deny Flight, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Freedom Sentinel, among others. Prior to his current position, Chief Master Sgt. Elliott was the 172nd Mission Support Group SEL, overseeing the readiness, training, health, and welfare of over 450 personnel across multiple squadrons and flights. In addition to his military service, Chief Elliott has been actively involved in leadership roles within the civilian fire service and is the current Executive Director for the Mississippi State Fire Academy. He has served as the President of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association on the Mississippi Firefighters Minimum Standards and Certification Board and numerous others throughout his career. His broad range of experience and leadership has significantly contributed to his expertise in both military and civilian emergency response operations
EDUCATION
1991 Firefighter Apprentice Course, Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.
1994 Space Shuttle Orbiter Crew Rescue Course, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2001 Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science Technology, Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Criminal Investigator Training Program, Andrews AFB, Md.
2003 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Correspondence
2005 State Executive Fire Officer Program, Mississippi Fire Academy, Pearl, Miss.
2007 Air Force On-Scene Commanders Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Bachelor of Science, Fire Science, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Ala.
2009 Chief Fire Officer Designation, Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association
2010 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Army Basic Instructor Course, Fort Harrison, Mont.
2013 Civil Engineer Superintendent Course, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
2017 Air National Guard Chiefs Executive Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I & II
2021 Fire Emergency Services Flight Superintendent Course, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
2021 Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Defense Support of Civil Authorities I & II, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1991- December 1993, Firefighter, 20th Civil Engineering Squadron, Royal Air Force, Upper Heyford, United Kingdom
2. January 1994- September 1995, Firefighter Crew Chief, 49th Civil Engineering Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
3. September 2001- September 2005, Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 405, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. May 2006- October 2018, Fire Chief, 172nd Civil Engineering Squadron, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
5. October 2018- January 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 172nd Mission Support Group, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
6. January 2023 -Present, 172d Airlift Wing, Command Chief, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Navy Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi War Medal
Mississippi Longevity Medal with two devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 & 2004 Firefighter of the Year City of Oxford, Miss.
2004 Squadron Special Agent of the Quarter (Apr-Jun) AFOSI Washington D.C. Field Office
2004 Region Special Agent of the Quarter (Apr-Jun) AFOSI Region 3
2010 Outstanding Performance, Air Mobility Command, Inspector General, Unit Compliance Inspection
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Mississippi, Lifetime Member
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Lifetime Member
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lifetime Member
Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association
Mississippi Firefighter Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Staff Sergeant Nov. 1, 2003
Technical Sergeant May 05, 2006
Master Sergeant May 20, 2008
Senior Master Sergeant July 7, 2011
Chief Master Sergeant Oct. 18, 2014
(Current as of March 2025)