Senior Master Sergeant Ira Wesley Hamilton serves as the First Sergeant for the 186th Air Refueling Wing, Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi. As First Sergeant, his primary responsibility is the readiness, health, morale, welfare and quality of life issues for all base Airmen. Sergeant Hamilton strives to build a mission ready force in order to execute home station and expeditionary requirements for the Airmen by enforcing regulations, ensuring training, and advising the Base Commander on all enlisted issues. In addition, he insures that the enlisted force understands the commanders’ policies, goals, and objectives. Sergeant Hamilton is an active participant in the First Sergeant Council and other activities that support the total needs of the military community. It is his responsibility to remain vigilant and use the necessary authority to resolve issues that would adversely impact readiness.
Sergeant Hamilton entered the Air Force in January 2009. Following basic military training, he attended Security Forces Apprentice Course where he graduated in February 2010 from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. He spent the following 10 years in the security forces career field at Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi, where he has held various duty positions. He served as a Fire Team Leader, Traffic Accident Investigator, and a Security Forces Supervisor. As a Fire Team Leader, he was selected to deploy as a member of a Security Escort Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Hamilton also deployed as a Security Forces Supervisor in support of Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL and ATLANTIC RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, Sergeant Hamilton served as the Wing First Sergeant, 172d Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Mississippi.
EDUCATION
2009 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2009 Security Forces Apprentice Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2015 Airmen Leadership School, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2017 Security Forces Craftsman Course, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (JBSA-Lackland), Texas
2017 Security Forces Traffic Accident/Management Course, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
2018 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2020 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2021 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2021 Associate Degree, Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (Correspondence)
2023 First Sergeant 2.0 Development Course, ANG Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland
2024 Bachelor’s Degree, Science in Homeland Security, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
- March 2009-May 2009, Trainee, 324th Training Squadron (TRS), Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
- October 2009-February 2010, Student, 324 TRS, Lackland AFB, Texas
ASSIGNMENTS CONT’D
- September 2013-August 2020, Security Escort Team Member, 186th Security Forces Squadron, Key Field Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Miss. (September 2013-March 2014, Security Escort Team, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), Ali Al Salem Air Base (AB), Kuwait); (January 2018-March 2018 Security Forces Supervisor, OPERATION ATLANTIC RESOLVE, Amiri AB); (July 2018-January 2019 Security Forces Supervisor, 379 AEW, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
- August 2020-August 2021, First Sergeant, 186th Security Forces Squadron, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
- August 2021–Present, First Sergeant, 172d Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Jan. 9, 2009
Senior Airman Mar. 4, 2011
Staff Sergeant June 10, 2015
Technical Sergeant July 8, 2017
Master Sergeant July 12, 2019
Senior Master Sergeant Nov. 7, 2021
(Current as of May 2024)