Air Force
US airmen in Europe and Africa gain new senior enlisted leader
Stars and Stripes
September 27, 2021
Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin W. Hedden is the new U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa command chief master sergeant, replacing Chief Master Sgt. Brion P. Blais, according to an Air Force statement. (U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa has a new command chief.
Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin W. Hedden succeeded Chief Master Sgt. Brion P. Blais earlier this month as the USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief master sergeant, according to an Air Force statement.
Blais was named the senior enlisted leader for NATO Allied Command Transformation, the statement said.
In his new role, Hedden serves as the senior enlisted adviser to the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander on issues affecting operations, training and readiness, as well as health, morale, welfare and discipline, the Air Force said. He had been the command chief for the 15th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.
Hedden joined the Air Force 26 years ago as an aerospace ground equipment airman. He previously was a military training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, according to the Air Force.
USAFE-AFAFRICA has more than 32,000 active duty, civilian, reserve and National Guard personnel assigned to eight wings and 88 geographically separated units responsible for operations in 104 countries.