Chief Master Sergeant Craig L. French is the Command Chief, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. In this capacity, he serves 7,000 active duty and civilian personnel from four groups and twenty-two squadrons, as well as 15,000 dependents and retirees. He is the primary advisor to the Wing Commander on all matters, including readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of personnel and resources supporting the 4th Fighter Wing’s 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to two operational and two training fighter squadrons. Chief French is a vital liaison between the installation and the local community, strengthening community relations and ensuring diverse opportunities for Team Seymour families.
CMSgt French entered the Air Force in June 2005 and completed Aerospace Propulsion training in October 2005. His background includes various duties and positions in aircraft maintenance management and leadership, as well as time served as a First Sergeant. His assignments include bases in Texas, Nevada, Japan, Oklahoma, and Korea. CMSgt French has deployed in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, NEW DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, CMSgt French was the Senior Enlisted Leader, 35th Maintenance Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan.
EDUCATION
2009 Airman Leadership School, Kadena AB, Japan
2009 Associate of Applied Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University, by correspondence
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Associate of Applied Science, General/Liberal Studies, University of Maryland University College 2013 Bachelor of Science, Business Management, University of Maryland University College
2014 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2014 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB Gunter Annex, Ala.
2019 Associate of Applied Science, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB Gunter Annex, Ala.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Course, National Defense University, by correspondence
2023 Chief Leadership Academy, Maxwell AFB Gunter Annex, Ala.
2026 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
June 2005 – July 2005, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
July 2005 – October 2005, Student, Technical Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
November 2005 – December 2006, Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, 57th Component Maintenance Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
January 2007 – January 2014, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan (January 2011 – April 2011, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates)
(October 2012 – May 2013, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates)
January 2014 – February 2018, Production Superintendent, 552d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tinker, AFB, Okla.
(July 2016 – November 2016, Production Superintendent, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates)
March 2018 – October 2019, First Sergeant, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
October 2019 – March 2021, First Sergeant, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
March 2021 – April 2022, First Sergeant, 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
April 2022 – June 2023, First Sergeant, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
June 2023 – July 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
July 2024 – May 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 35th Maintenance Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
May 2026 – Present, Command Chief, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic June 1, 2005
Airman First Class July 15, 2005
Senior Airman May 15, 2007
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2009
Technical Sergeant July 1, 2012
Master Sergeant May 1, 2016
Senior Master Sergeant March 1, 2019
Chief Master Sergeant April 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2026)