SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The 178th Wing welcomed a new Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant during a change of authority ceremony.
Chief Master Sgt. Scott E. Ross assumed the role of Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing from Chief Master Sgt. Heidi A. Bunker, Jan. 12, at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio.
Ross previously served as the superintendent for the 178th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group. His career spans 32 years of service and includes assignments as the first sergeant for the 178th Wing and the 178th Mission Support Group superintendent. In 2018, he became the superintendent for the 178th ISRG, before taking on his current role as Command Chief Master Sergeant.
“Chief Ross has a heart for Airmen,” said Bunker. “He is someone that’s not afraid to tell truth to power, and that is certainly someone that you need in this world, someone who has the moral courage to say what needs to be said. Chief Ross is that person, and I trust him to lead the enlisted force at the 178th Wing.”
Bunker is moving on to a new leadership role as the state Command Chief for the Ohio Air National Guard. In this new role, she will be working at Joint Force Headquarters to ensure 5,000 Airmen in Ohio have what they need to be successful. As Bunker moves on to her new career, Col. Kimberly A. Fitzgerald, the commander of the 178th Wing reflected on Bunker’s achievements.
“As the Command Chief, her primary responsibilities are people-oriented,” said Fitzgerald. “Heidi is constantly seeking personal growth for herself and she has a desire for the Airmen of this Wing to succeed, which is going to result in lasting mission impacts.”
As Ross takes on his new leadership role, he addressed the Wing saying, “This Wing is a highly professional organization, one which is ready and relevant today and continues to strive for perfection that will make it ready and relevant in the future.”
