KEY FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Miss. -- Chief Master Sgt. Darren D. McMullen was recently selected to serve as the 8th Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 186th Air Refueling Wing (ARW).
In selecting McMullen, Col. Edward H. Evans, Jr., commander of the 186th ARW, said McMullen brings experience, professionalism, and a lead-by-example mentality that the Wing’s Airmen will appreciate and want to emulate.
“He’s the perfect candidate to serve as our highest-ranking noncommissioned officer and has proven that his leadership abilities are exactly what our Airmen need,” said Evans. “Chief McMullen has mentored numerous Airmen over the years and helped them to become successful which has benefited the entire wing in accomplishing the mission.”
McMullen was selected as the consensus choice from a group of chief master sergeants from across the 186th ARW. The finalists were selected based on breadth of experience, recommendations from senior leaders, and performance across each candidate’s Air National Guard career.
“This new chapter in my life will be the best yet,” said McMullen. “I’m looking forward to serving in this position and am honored and humbled by this opportunity to make a difference for the entire enlisted force.”
McMullen is an APL leukemia survivor. He was diagnosed in 2019 while on a temporary duty assignment with the Air Mobility Command at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. His grit, courage and determination are factors in not only his recovery, but also in him being selected as the highest ranking enlisted member on the base.
The Command Chief Master Sergeant position advises the wing commander on issues affecting morale, wellness, readiness, training, health, welfare, quality of life, professional development and proper utilization of the more than 1,000 Airmen who are members of the 186th ARW.
Before serving in this new position, McMullen served as the 186th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent and a crew chief on the KC-135R aircraft. He entered military service in 1986 as a crew chief. The chief has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Arthur, the current 186th Air Refueling Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, will relinquish his position in a Change of Responsibility ceremony on 4 October.
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