Chief Master Sergeant Steven D. Best is the Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky. He provides leadership and management of resources for all enlisted personnel. The Chief also advises the Wing Commander on issues affecting the morale and well- being of personnel and their families, as well as matters relating to manpower, equipment and training during peacetime in preparation for the wing's wartime mission. He is accountable for working with a wide variety of federal and state authorities in all aspects of operations, personnel, equipment and funding matters.
Best enlisted in the Kentucky Air National Guard in February 1998 as an Air Transportation Specialist. In 2002 and 2003 he deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany and in 2008 he deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was selected as the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron First Sergeant in 2010 and was recognized as the Kentucky Air National Guard First Sergeant of the Year in 2015. Also, in 2015 he served as the First Sergeant to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron assisting the Squadron Commander and Chiefs with valued input on management of personnel assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Airlift Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. He returned to the Air Transportation career field in 2016 in various functional areas to include the Air
Terminal Operations Center Superintendent and as the Air Terminal Senior Enlisted Leader. From November 2020 through March 2022, Best was instrumental in providing COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts by leading a Facility Administration Support Team throughout the state of Kentucky, rendering aid to understaffed hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and supporting various vaccination sites. Chief Best's civilian occupation is with Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems where he serves as a human resources manager.
Prior to this current position, Best was the D Flight Senior Enlisted Leader for the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing, Louisville, Ky.

EDUCATION
1998
2T2X1 Air Transportation Technical School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2002
Airman Leadership School, (Non-Residence), Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2008
USAF NCO Academy (Non-Residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008
AMC Affiliation Load Planner’s Course, Savannah, Ga.
2009
2T271 7-Level School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2010
USAF First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012
USAF SNCO Academy (Non-Residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2013
Associate in Applied Science, Transportation, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014
Associate in Applied Science, Human Resources, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2018 Contemporary Base Issues, Louisville, Ky.
2021 Intrepid Leadership Course, Louisville, Ky.
2022 Chief Master Sergeants Orientation Course for Air National Guard
2022 Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, KY
ASSIGNMENTS
Feb 1998 - Aug 2005, Ramp/Cargo Processing, 123rd Aerial Port Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky
Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
Sep 2005 - Oct 2009, Training Flight NCOIC, 123rd Aerial Port Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National
Guard, Louisville, Ky.
Nov 2009 - Jun 2015, First Sergeant, 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky
Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
Jul 2015 – May 2019, Air Terminal Operations Superintendent, Small Air Terminal, 123rd Logistics
Readiness Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
Jun 2019 – Apr 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, D Flight, 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 123rd Airlift Wing,
Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
May 2022 – Present, 123rd Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air
National Guard, Louisville, Ky.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7 devices)
National Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
Air Force Longevity Service
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Special Duty
OTHER ACHIEVMENTS
2015 Kentucky Air National Guard First Sergeant of the Year
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air Force Sergeants Association
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kentucky

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class Feb. 25, 1998
Senior Airman Oct. 1, 1998
Staff Sergeant Oct. 1, 2002
Technical Sergeant Jan. 1, 2005
Master Sergeant Jan 12, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant July 12, 2015
Chief Master Sergeant, Aug. 1, 2019
(Current as of December 2022)