THE USAF AFE CAREER FIELD LEADERS OF TODAY (FULL GROUPS)
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Headquarters Air Force (HAF/A3T) – Career Field Manager (CFM)
The single highest enlisted authority for AFE.
Role:
- Sets career field direction
- Oversees AFIs, STS, CDCs, and training pipeline
- Determines manning priorities
- Represents AFE at the Pentagon
- Coordinates modernization and budget priorities
Impact: The CFM is the “Chief of AFE” — the top voice for every Airman wearing the 1P0 stripe.
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MAJCOM Functional Managers (MFMs)
Each Major Command has a senior AFE leader (SMSgt/CMSgt) who oversees AFE operations across their command.
ACC – Air Combat Command
- Largest AFE footprint
- Fighter, ISR, rescue, and high‑tempo combat units
- Sets combat readiness standards
AMC – Air Mobility Command
- Tanker, airlift, and aeromedical evacuation
- Oversees global mobility survival equipment standards
AETC – Air Education & Training Command
- Controls the training pipeline
- Oversees instructors, schoolhouse standards, and curriculum
AFGSC – Air Force Global Strike Command
- Bomber and missile-related AFE programs
- Nuclear-capable aircraft egress and survival systems
PACAF – Pacific Air Forces
- Indo‑Pacific regional readiness
- Oversees AFE in forward-deployed environments
USAFE – U.S. Air Forces in Europe
- European theater readiness
- Standardization across NATO-integrated operations
AFSOC – Air Force Special Operations Command
- Specialized equipment, unique mission sets
- High-risk, high-capability gear oversight
ANG – Air National Guard
- State-level readiness
- Oversees Guard AFE units nationwide
AFRC – Air Force Reserve Command
- Reserve AFE programs
- Ensures continuity with active-duty standards
Impact: MFMs are the “generals” of AFE — they run the field at the command level.
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Aircrew Protection Officers (L-Series Officers)
Although AFE is an enlisted career field, Aircrew Protection Officers (formerly L11XX/L12XX) play a major role.
They oversee:
- Aircrew protection programs
- Survival equipment modernization
- Integration with egress, physiology, and SERE
- Acquisition, budgeting, and testing
- Industry coordination (Gentex, Ops-Core, L3, etc.)
Impact: These officers shape the future of AFE gear, funding, and modernization.
Technical Training Leadership – Sheppard AFB (361 TRS / 982 TRG)
The schoolhouse is the foundation of the entire career field.
Key Leaders:
- Commander, 361st Training Squadron
- Superintendent, 361 TRS (CMSgt/SMSgt)
- AFE Schoolhouse Flight Chiefs
- Master Instructors & Curriculum Developers
They control:
- Curriculum
- Hands-on training
- Certification standards
- Pipeline throughput
- Modernization of training equipment
Impact: These leaders shape every new AFE Airman entering the field.
AFLCMC & AFSC Program Managers (Civilian + Officer)
These are the people who manage the gear itself.
Programs they oversee:
- Parachute systems
- Helmets, masks, oxygen systems
- NVGs
- Survival kits
- Flotation gear
- Egress integration
- Modernization and testing
- Fielding of new systems
Impact: They decide what gear gets funded, tested, approved, and delivered to the field.
Wing-Level Leadership (Chiefs, Superintendents, Section Chiefs)
Every wing has its own AFE leadership structure.
Key roles:
- Wing AFE Superintendent (usually SMSgt/CMSgt)
- Squadron AFE Section Chiefs
- Flight Chiefs
- QA & Standardization Leads
Impact: These leaders ensure day-to-day readiness, inspections, training, and compliance.
AFE Inspectors & Evaluators (IG, Stan/Eval, MAJCOM Teams)
These leaders ensure the career field stays sharp.
They conduct:
- MAJCOM-level inspections
- Wing-level evaluations
- Standardization reviews
- Safety audits
- Compliance checks
Impact: They maintain discipline, safety, and technical accuracy across the field.
Bob, just an FYI. Chief Holmes position at HQ AFMC/A3V was omitted from this update.
Currently CMSgt Brian Holmes
HQ AFMC/A3V, MFM for AFE, SERE, and Pararescue AFSC’s at Detachment One, Eglin AFB, Florida
The HQ AFMC Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) Functional Manager resides within the Standardization/Evaluation Office at Detachment One (HQ AFMC/A3V) at Eglin AFB, FL. The AFE MFM is responsible for manpower and the oversight of AFE, SERE, and Pararescue AFSCs. The MFM Oversees aircrew flight equipment operations and aircraft flight production involving 110 technicians, 300 aircrew and 128 aircraft conducting Defense Contract Management Agency, test flight and test parachute operations. HQ AFMC’s key focus areas include: Science and Technology, Test and Evaluation, Information Management, Product Support, Supply Management, Depot Maintenance, Installations/Support and Information Services Activity. This office monitors acquisition and sustainment programs at various MAJCOM installations and manages related career field resources. A3V leadership serves as SMEs for AFE and assists the Defense Contractors Management Agency (DCMA) with contract compliance audits. Finally, the AFE MFM performs Staff Assistance Visits and compliance inspections of Air Force test units, including AFFTC test parachutist operations. The office utilizes quality assurance concepts, and AFMAN 11-301 policy guidance to validate compliance with regulations and USAF policy.