CMSgt James W. Foresman is the Equipment Maintenance Flight Superintendent for the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan. Chief Foresman is responsible for providing fully trained, qualified and combat ready maintenance personnel to generate mission ready KC-135R aircraft and associated equipment. His primary focus is supporting contingency operations by providing rapid global mobility airpower in support of the total force mission of the Kansas Air National Guard and the United States Air Force.
Chief Foresman began his military career in the Air Force on July 29th 1987, completing Basic Military Training in September. His follow-on technical training was at Lowery Air Force Base, Colorado where he received his 3 level training as a Munitions Systems Specialist. He was stationed at Nellis AFB and assigned to the 4450th TG (later the 37th TFW) at the Tonopah Test Range where he assembled and delivered munition components in support of the F117A. After returning from the first Gulf War in 1991, Chief Foresman left the active component and joined the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing. He completed his cross-training as an Apprentice Aircraft Pneudraulics Systems Specialist at Chanute AFB, Ill. and was assigned to the Repair and Reclaimation Shop. He became a full time technician in 1994 and worked as an aircraft mechanic until being promoted as the Inspection Dock Supervisor in June 2012. He has participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM, RESTORE HOPE, JOINT GUARD, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Prior to assuming his current position, Chief Foresman was the Accessories Section Chief, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.”
EDUCATION
1987 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas.
1987 Munitions Systems Specialist Course, Lowrey AFB, Colo.
1990 NCO Preparatory School, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev.
1991 Apprentice Aircraft Pneudraulics Systems Specialist Course, Chanute AFB, Ill.
1996 Air National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2001 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Course, Correspondence, Diploma
2007 Associates Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Associates Degree in Munitions Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Bachelor’s Degree in Management, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Ariz.
ASSIGNMENTS
July 1987 - September 1987, Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
September 1987 - November 1987 Air Force Technical Training School, Lowery AFB, Colo
November 1987 - July 1991, Munitions Systems Specialist, 4450th TG/37th TFW, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev.
July 1991 - August 2002, Aerospace Repair Specialist, 190th MXS, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
August 2002 - June 2012, Aircraft Mechanic, 190th MXS, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
October 2008 – February 2012 Aircraft Quality Assurance, 190th MXG, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
June 2012 - April 2018, Aircraft Mechanic Supervisor, 190th MXS, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
April 2018 – February 2020, Accessories Section Chief, 190th MXS, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
February 2020 – Present, Equipment Maintenance Flight Superintendent, 190th MXS, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kan.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Nine oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and three oak leaf clusters
AF Longevity Service with six oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with nine 'M' Devices and two oak leaf clusters
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star
AF Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Kansas National Guard Service Medal with three devices
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS
Noncommissioned Officers Association
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman January 29, 1988
Airman First Class November 29, 1988
Senior Airman January 29, 1990
Sergeant January 29, 1991
Staff Sergeant January 8, 1994
Technical Sergeant October 28, 1998
Master Sergeant May 5, 2005
Senior Master Sergeant August 15, 2018
Chief Master Sergeant September 13, 2020
(Current as of February 2023)