Chief Master Sergeant Jessica L. Wheeldon, originally from Norwich, NY, serves as the Chief Enlisted Manager for the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band. CMSgt Wheeldon earned a Bachelor of Music degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Music degree from Arizona State University.

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In 1995, CMSgt Wheeldon entered the Air Force as a flutist and has performed around the world in concert bands, chamber ensembles and as a soloist. She has shared the stage with artists such as Amy Grant, Lonestar, Take 6, Vince Gill, Sandi Patti, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Her assignments have afforded her the opportunity to travel on multiple troop morale tours to Europe and Southwest Asia, providing logistical support for guest artists such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Jamie O’Neal, Restless Heart, Lee Greenwood, Blues Traveler, and the New England Patriots’ cheerleaders. While deployed as the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, she leveraged the power of music to bolster the morale of U.S. and coalition troops and strengthen international partnerships throughout Southwest Asia.


EDUCATION:

2000 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2006 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Robins AFB, Ga.                                    

2008 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course

2010 Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala.

2010 Joint Senior Enlisted Public Affairs Course, Defense Information School, Ft. Meade, Md.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. August 1995 - May 2002; USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. May 2002 - December 2008; Band of the USAF Reserve, Robins AFB, Ga.

3. December 2008 - October 2013; Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

4. October 2013 – September 2015; USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

5. September 2015 – present; USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal

National Defense Service Medal with bronze star

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

1995 Basic Military Training Honor Graduate

2000 Airman Leadership School Levitow Award

2010 Senior NCO Academy Distinguished Graduate

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Airman First Class June 28, 1995

Senior Airman October 28, 1997

Staff Sergeant July 1, 2000

Technical Sergeant July 1, 2003

Master Sergeant July 1, 2006

Senior Master Sergeant Jan 1, 2011

Chief Master Sergeant July 1, 2014

(Current as of October 2015)