Tennessee's Top Enlisted Airman Published Aug. 6, 2011 By State of Tennessee Department of Military Nashville -- Brig. Gen. (Sel) Donald L. Johnson, Tennessee's Assistant Adjutant General-Air, announced today that Chief Master Sergeant Wade Hudson of Memphis will be the Tennessee Air National Guard's newest State Command Chief. The State Command Chief serves as the principal advisor to the commander of the Tennessee Air National Guard for the training, supervision and welfare of the more than 3,500 Air Guard enlisted members. Hudson replaces Chief Master Sgt. Doug Smelcer who retires later this year. Hudson currently serves as the Command Chief Master Sgt. for the 164th Airlift Wing in Memphis. He brings more than 33 years military experience to the position. Chief Master Sgt. Hudson enlisted in the Air Force delayed enlistment program in 1977. After basic training and technical school in 1978, he was assigned to the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM as an F-15 crew chief until leaving active duty in 1982. In 1982, Chief Master Sgt. Hudson enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard. He was hired full-time as a hanger mechanic in 1984, and moved to the flight line in June of 1986. He was promoted to WG-12 crew chief in 1987. He left full-time status and went to work in civilian aviation in 1988. As a traditional guardsman, he worked hanger, flight line, and support equipment positions until 1996, when he moved to ISO dock as assistant dock chief. In 1998, he was promoted to Dock Chief. In 2004, Hudson was promoted to Maintenance Superintendent and Chief Master Sergeant and remained in that position until moving into the Command Chief Master Sergeant's position in 2007. Hudson is a graduate of the Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, the Senior NCO Academy and the NCO Leadership School. His awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one device, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one device, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one device, the Air Force Reserve Component Meritorious Service Medal with eight devices, the National Defense Service Medal with one device and the Global War on Terror Medal.