CMSgt Edward N. Taylor III is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 179th Cyberspace Wing, Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. Chief Taylor is the principal advisor to 179th Cyberspace Wing commander and senior staff on matters affecting training, promotion, retention, education, professional development, readiness and welfare for more than 800 enlisted Airmen assigned to the 179. He is the embodiment of leadership and dedication, with over thirty-five years of service to the Air National Guard.
Chief Taylor's career started as an Aircraft Armament technician on the AH- 1S Cobra Attack Helicopter with the Ohio Army National Guard in January 1990, he completed AIT in Aug of that same year and held a variety of maintenance related positions. He transitioned to the Air National Guard in May 1999, becoming a KC-135R crew chief. His extensive deployments, supporting operations from DESERT SHIELD to STEADY RESOLVE, honed his leadership skills in demanding environments. This experience, coupled with his deep understanding of aircraft maintenance and unwavering commitment to safety, proved invaluable as he took on the role of 121st ARW MXG Senior Enlisted Leader, preparing him to navigate the complexities of leadership in the cyber domain.
Chief Taylor's leadership has been essential in guiding the 179th Cyberspace Wing through a period of transformation as it took on a new mission set. He has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives to equip the Wing for success in the cyber domain. He chairs the Enlisted Force Development Council, addressing critical issues such as force development, talent management, career progression, and aligning training with the demands of cyber operations. Recognizing the importance of mentorship, he fostered a strong culture of guidance and development within the Chiefs' & First Sergeants' Councils. Furthermore, Chief Taylor spearheaded a comprehensive Leadership Development Program to equip the Wing's leaders with the skills needed in the cyber battlefield, incorporating aspects of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and effective communication.
EDUCATION
1993 Army Primary Leadership Development Course, Camp Ball, LA. – Class President
1995 Army Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Camp Ball, LA.
1997 Six Sigma Black Belt, General Electric, Stamford, CT.
2005 USAF NCOA, McGee Tyson, TN – Commandant’s Award winner
2009 USAF First Sergeants Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2011 USAF Senior NCOA, Correspondence Course 2013 ANGC 4Lenses, March AFB, CA.
2018 CCAF Aircraft Maintenance Technology
2023 Bachelors of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cum Laude, Park University, Parkville, MO.
ASSIGNMENTS
- January 1990 – April 1999, AH-1S Aircraft Maintenance, Co. D 1/137th North Canton, Ohio
- May 1999 – August 2005, Isochronal Inspection Section. 121st ARW / MXS, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- September 2005 – August 2009, QA Inspector, 121st ARW / MXG, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- December 2008 – April 2009, QA Inspector, 379th AEW / EMXG, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
- September 2009 – March 2015, Wing First Sergeant, 121st ARW / WSA / OG, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- May 2010 – July 2010, First Sergeant, 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Incirlik, Turkey
- April 2012 – Oct 2012, Wing First Sergeant, 380th AEW Al Dalphra Air Base, United Arab Emirates
- September 2014 – November 2014, First Sergeant, 506th EARS, Anderson AFB, Guam
- April 2015 – October 2015, QA Chief Inspector, 121st ARW / MXG, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- November 2015 – April 2019, Avionics Superintendent, 121st ARW /MXS, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- January 2017 – Aug 2017, Flight Chief, 379th AEW / EMXS, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
- May 2019 – April 2020, Branch Chief, 121st ARW / AMXS, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
- May 2020 – December 2022, MXG Group Chief, 121st ARW / MXG, RIAP, Ohio
- December 2022-Present, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 179th Cyberspace Wing, Mansfield, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices
Army Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Ohio Commendation Medal with one device
Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon with 3 devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 USAF NCOA CMS Paul Langford Commandant Award Winner
2011 121st First Sergeant of the Year
2013 Young Astronauts program Serviceman of the Year
2021 Robert Boggs Leadership Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
ONGEA Lifetime Member
Tuskegee Airmen Inc, Ohio Memorial Chapter, lifetime member
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Master Sergeant 1 Jun 2007
Wing First Sergeant 1 Sep 2009
Senior Master Sergeant 1 Aug 2012
Chief Master Sergeant 1 May 2019
Command Chief Master Sergeant 4 Dec 2022
(Current as of Mar 5, 2025)