CMSgt James Cromwell is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. The 437th Airlift Wing deploys Airmen and aircraft worldwide in support of contingency operations that involve the airland and airdrop delivery of forces, equipment, and supplies. These missions support combat operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed special operations missions and United States sponsored humanitarian relief efforts. As the Command Chief, she is the principal enlisted advisor to the wing commander, two group commanders, and seven squadron commanders for the utilization of over 2,600 personnel to maximize the wing’s combat readiness, morale, health and welfare. Additionally, she serves as the commander’s representative on numerous base and civilian committees, councils, and boards charged with meeting quality of force as well as quality of life needs for the base populace.
Chief Cromwell enlisted in the Air Force in April 2004. After graduating initial Computer Display and Maintenance Technician Training in October 2004, he serves in a variety of positions aboard the E-3 AWACS accumulating over 2,700 flight hours. In June 2012, Chief Cromwell cross-trained into the loadmaster career field and has accumulated 3,500 flying hours aboard the C-17. During time in both airframes, he deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, South America Counter Drug Operations, and contingency operations in the Horn of Africa. He has also served in multiple units as a First Sergeant including an 8-month deployment supporting CENTCOM’s forward headquarters. His assignments include bases in Oklahoma, California, and Washington.
EDUCATION
2009 Airman Leadership School, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
2010 Associate Degree, Information Systems Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Associate Degree, Instructor of Technology/Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Associate of Science, Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint PME by correspondence
2015 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy by correspondence
2018 Bachelor of Science, Organizational Leadership, Chapman University, Orange, Calif.
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint PME II by correspondence
2018 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 United States Marine Corps Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, N.C.
2018 United States Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2019 Associate Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2024 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Group Command Team Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2025 Wing Command Team Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2004 – June 2004, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. June 2004 – October 2004, Student, Computer Display and Maintenance Training, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. October 2004 – October 2005, Student Computer Display and Maintenance Technician Initial Qualification Training, 552nd Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
4. October 2005 – February 2008, Instructor Computer Display and Maintenance Technician, 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron (AACS), Tinker AFB, Okla.
5. March 2008 – June 2012, Evaluator Computer Display and Maintenance Technician, 966th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
6. June 2012 – July 2012, Student, Basic Loadmaster Course, 344th Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
7. July 2012 – January 2013, NCOIC, Student Admin Flight, 552nd Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
8. January 2013 – May 2013, Student, Loadmaster Initial Qualification Training, 97th Training Squadron, Altus AFB, Okla.
9. May 2013 – August 2016, NCOIC Loadmaster Flight, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
10. August 2016 – September 2018, Section Chief, Standardizations and Evaluations Flight, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
11. September 2018 – July 2019, First Sergeant, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
12. July 2019 – October 2021, First Sergeant, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif. (September 2020 – April 2021, Senior Enlisted Leader, USCENTCOM Forward HQ, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
13. October 2021 – December 2022, Senior Enlisted Manager, 7th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash.
14. December 2022 – November 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 8th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash.
15. November 2023 – July 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 62d Operations Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
16. July 2025 – Present, Command Chief, 437th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, South Carolina
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal with service star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Honor Guardsman of the Year, 552nd Air Control Wing
2006 Airman of the Year, 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron
2009 Computer Display and Maintenance Technician of the Year, 552nd Operations Group
2013 Distinguished Graduate, Loadmaster Initial Qualification, 97th Training Squadron
2014 Loadmaster of the Year, 21st Airlift Squadron
2015 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 21st Airlift Squadron
2018 Distinguished Graduate, USMC Staff NCO Academy
2020 18th Air Force First Sergeant of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant August 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2025)