Chief Master Sgt. Tomie D. Henson is the senior enlisted leader for the 412th Security Forces Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California. He advises the Defense Force commander on enlisted matters and synchronizes the efforts of over 700 military and Department of the Air Force law enforcement officials executing base defense of Edwards AFB and Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. He manages security operations for 56 development test and evaluation programs advancing 14 aircraft valued at $18 billion dollars, the $20 billion dollar B-21 Raider platform, the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Test Pilot School, and the NASA Research Center.
Chief Henson was born in Huntsville, AL and entered the Air Force in February 2002. He graduated from the Security Forces Apprentice Course at Lackland AFB, Texas in June 2002, and his background includes various positions within the Security Forces career field, including an assignment as an International Military Police Specialist assigned to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Germany. He also served as a First Sergeant in various units. Chief Henson deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Prior to his current position, Chief Henson served as Operations Superintendent, 423d Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force Alconbury, United Kingdom.
EDUCATION
2006 Airman Leadership School, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
2007 Security Forces Craftsman, Lackland AFB, Texas
2013 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2013 Associate Degree, Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, by correspondence
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala
2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Course, by correspondence
2019 Associate Degree, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2024 Bachelor of Science, Human Resource Management, University of Maryland Global Campus, Adelphi
2025 USAF Leader Development Course for Squadron Command, Air University, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2002 – April 2002, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. April 2002 – June 2002, Trainee, 343rd Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. July 2002 – January 2008, Training Instructor, 509th Security Forces Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo
(October 2003 – March 2004, Vehicle Search Area Member, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base (AB), Unite Arab of Emirates; August 2005 – February 2006, Tactical Automated Security System Operator, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq)
4. February 2008 – February 2010, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Weapons Storage and Security Systems, 39th
Security Forces Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
5. March 2010 – February 2014, International Military Police Specialist, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany
(September 2011 – October 2011, International Military Police Specialist, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan; November 2013 –
December 2013, International Military Police Specialist, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan)
6. February 2014 – February 2016, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Standardization and Evaluation, 39th Security Forces
Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
7. February 2016 – April 2018, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Installation Security, 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF
Lakenheath, England
(October 2016 – April 2017, Superintendent, Security Forces Plans & Programs, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, AB
201, Niger)
8. April 2018 – October 2019, First Sergeant, 48th Force Support Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
9. October 2019 – May 2020, First Sergeant, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
10. May 2020 – June 2021, First Sergeant, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
(May 2020 – October 2020, First Sergeant, 332 Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Muwaffaq Salti AB, Jordan)
11. June 2021 – June 2026, Operations Superintendent, 423d Security Forces Squadron, RAF Alconbury, England
12. June 2026 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 412th Security Forces Squadron, Edwards AFB, Ca
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2014 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 39th Security Forces Squadron
2015 Air Force Association Aerospace Citation of Honor, United States Air Forces in Europe
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 48th Security Forces Squadron
2018 First Sergeant of the Year, 48th Mission Support Group
2022 Security Forces Staff Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 423d Security Forces Squadron
2024 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 423d Air Base Group
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic February 19, 2002
Airman First Class April 8, 2002
Senior Airman August 8, 2004
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2006
Technical Sergeant January 1, 2012
Master Sergeant March 1, 2016
Senior Master Sergeant May 1, 2022
Chief Master Sergeant March 1, 2026
(Current as of June 2026)