Chief Master Sgt. Kari L. Nettle is the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 179th Cyberspace Wing, Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. As the senior enlisted leader of the Wing, she serves as the principal advisor to the 179th Cyberspace Wing Commander and senior staff on all matters affecting training, promotion, retention, education, professional development, readiness and welfare of more than 800 enlisted Airmen assigned to the 179th Cyberspace Wing. Chief Nettle is a crucial liaison between the commander and the enlisted Airmen, representing their interests and advocating for their well-being and development to ensure mission effectiveness.
Chief Nettle enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in July 2002 as an Information Management Craftsman for the 179th Aerial Port Squadron. In 2004, she cross-trained into the Personnel Craftsman career field where she handled retirement applications, awards and decorations, enlisted promotions, and family care plans. In 2008, she worked in the Commander Support Staff for the 179th Mission Support Group. She transitioned to Joint Force Headquarters, Ohio Air National Guard in September 2008 where she served as a liaison between Ohio’s four wings, six geographically separated units, and the National Guard Bureau. She was the principal advisor to the Director of Staff, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Adjutant General for Air for matters relating to health, morale, welfare, and professional development for all enlisted members in the Ohio Air National Guard. In 2019 she transitioned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing as the 121st Force Support Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader and in 2023 she transferred to the 179th Cyberspace Wing as the 179th Force Support Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader. In both positions, Chief Nettle led 68 Airmen in providing personnel, force development, lodging, food services, and family readiness support to more than 1,200 Airmen and their families. She provided guidance and direction on personnel programs, policies, and procedures. She was responsible for reviewing and researching Air Force publications and policies to advise units and ensure they had the proper guidance. She was a key advisor to the Wing Force Development Council and the Enlisted Force Development Council.
EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
2008 Airman Leadership School, Correspondence Course
2010 Associate of Applies Science, Human Resources, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson, TN
2012 Masters of Arts in Human Service, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2012 Joint Senior Noncommissioned Officer Course, Correspondence Course
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Correspondence Course
2016 Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Phase I, Correspondence Course
2016 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME) II Course, Correspondence Course
2017 International NCO Leadership Development Seminar, Netherlands
2022 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C., MD
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. July 2002 - October 2004, Information Manager, 179th Aerial Port Squadron, Mansfield, Ohio
2. October 2004 - December 2008, Personnel Specialist, 179th Aerial Port Squadron, Mansfield, Ohio
3. December 2008 - September 2008, Commander Support Staff, 179th Mission Support Group, Mansfield, Ohio
4. September 2008 - September 2016, Personnel Manager, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
5. September 2016 - June 2019, State Personnel Superintendent, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
6. June 2019 – July 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 121st Force Support Squadron, Columbus, Ohio
7. July 2023 – January 2026, Senior Enlisted Leader, 179th Force Support Squadron, Mansfield, Ohio
8. January 2026 – Current, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 179th Cyberspace Wing, Mansfield, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
state AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Ohio Commendation Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 179th Aerial Port Squadron Airman of the Year
2023 Robert Boggs Leadership Award
2023 121st Air Refueling Wing Commanders Cup Squadron Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman July 2, 2002
Airman First Class September 1, 2003
Senior Airman January 1, 2005
Staff Sergeant February 1, 2008
Technical Sergeant February 1, 2010
Master Sergeant July 15, 2012
Senior Master Sergeant November 1, 2016
Chief Master Sergeant January 15, 2023
(Current as of January 2026)