CMSgt Benjamin Polesky is the 71st Operations Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Chief Polesky serves as the principal advisor to the Commander on all matters of readiness, health, morale, welfare, and professional development of 140 enlisted, 800 officers and 125 civilians of Undergraduate Pilot Training. Previously, Chief Polesky served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 71 Operations Support Squadron and managed the day-to-day operations for the RAPCON to include leading and providing supervision for 52 personnel, implementing guidance and procedures in support of the Air Force's Top Undergraduate Pilot Training Wing, and ensuring standards are enforced in the safe efficient movement of 350,000 annual aircraft operations at the Air Force's 3rd busiest airfield.
Chief Polesky entered the Air Force in June 1998. He graduated from Air Traffic Control Specialist Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi in January of 1999. Throughout his career, he has filled a myriad of roles including Watch Supervisor, NCOIC of Standardization and Evaluation, NCOIC Air Traffic Control Training, Senior Watch Supervisor, and Tower Chief Controller. His previous assignments include bases in Oklahoma, United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Texas, and Alaska. Chief Polesky has also deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom.
EDUCATION
2005 Airmen Leadership School, RAF Fairfield, UK
2011 Associate’s Degree in Air Traffic Control, Community College of the Air Force
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, TX
2012 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Course
2014 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Joint PME Correspondence Course
2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy In-residence Course
2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Joint PME II Correspondence Course
2023 Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1998 – July 1998, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. July 1998 – January 1999, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. January 1999 – January 2004, Air Traffic Controller, 71st Operations Support Squadron, Vance AFB, Oklahoma (February 2003- June 2003 Operation Enduring Freedom)
4. February 2004 – February 2008, Watch Supervisor, 48th Operations Support Squadron, United Kingdom, RAF Lakenheath
5. March 2008 – March 2011, NCOIC Standardization and Evaluation, 374th Operations Support Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
6. March 2011 – May 2013, Assistant Chief Controller, RAPCON, 97th OSS, Altus AFB, Oklahoma
7. June 2013 – June 2015, NCOIC Standardization and Evaluation, NCOIC Air Traffic Control Training, 8th Operations Support Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
8. July 2015 – July 2018, Assistant Chief Controller, RAPCON, 80th Operations Support Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
9. July 2018 – June 2022, Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader/Chief Controller, Tower, 354th Operations Support Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
10. July 2022- Present, Chief Controller, RAPCON/Sq Senior Enlisted Leader, 71st Operations Squadron, Vance AFB, Oklahoma
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Distinguished Graduate, Airmen Leadership School
2009 374th Operations Group NCO Airlifter of the Year
2016 80th Flying Training Wing SNCO of the Year
2017 80th Flying Training Wing Lance P. Sijan, Senior Enlisted Award
2019 354th Fighter Wing SNCO of the Year
2020 HQ PACAF Air Traffic Control Senior Enlisted Manager of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant 1 June 2022
(Current as of September 2024)