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Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, meets with Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing during a tour of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on March 16, 2013. Hotaling, who assumed the job Feb. 4, 2013, was in town to serve as the keynote speaker of the Kentucky National Guard’s Outstanding Airman and Soldier of the Year Banquet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In one of his first official visits to the field, the Air National Guard’s newest command chief toured the Kentucky Air National Guard base here March 16.
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Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, who became the Air Guard’s 11th command chief master sergeant on Feb. 4, met with Airmen from across the 123rd Airlift Wing while visiting a range of duty sections, from aircraft maintenance to force support.
A career special tactics Airman, Hotaling also was keynote speaker at the Kentucky National Guard’s Outstanding Airman and Soldier of the Year Banquet later that evening.
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Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, meets with Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing during a tour of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on March 16, 2013. Hotaling, who assumed the job Feb. 4, 2013, was in town to serve as the keynote speaker of the Kentucky National Guard’s Outstanding Airman and Soldier of the Year Banquet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
As ANG command chief, Hotaling represents the highest level of enlisted leadership in the Air National Guard. He is responsible for matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of assigned enlisted personnel and their families.
Prior to assuming his current post, Hotaling served as the command chief master sergeant for the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
Hotaling entered the Air Force in 1987 as a special tactics combat controller. His background includes joint planning, application of air power in support of special operations, and command and control of tactical operations.
He has participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Relief, Support Justice, Uphold Democracy, Vigilant Warrior, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During these operations, Hotaling planned and executed combat and humanitarian operations in support of national interests in Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
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Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, meets with Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing during a tour of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on March 16, 2013. Hotaling, who assumed the job Feb. 4, 2013, was in town to serve as the keynote speaker of the Kentucky National Guard’s Outstanding Airman and Soldier of the Year Banquet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maxwell Rechel)
He served for 10 years on active duty, performing various operational and staff duties. After a small break in service, he joined the US Coast Guard Reserve as a Port Security Specialist. In 2001, Hotaling rejoined the Air Force as a combat control reservist, serving as an individual mobilization augmentee.
In 2003, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron, and he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Oregon Joint Force Headquarters-Combat Operations Group.