Chief Master Sgt. Harvey M. McReynolds Jr. is the Command Chief Master Sgt., 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Okla. He advises the commander on the mission effectiveness, professional development, military readiness, training, utilization, health, morale, and welfare for over 2,600 total force personnel.
Additionally, Chief McReynolds serves as the functional manager for the wing’s Senior Enlisted Leaders and First Sergeants. Through his leadership and deliberate development of the force, Team Vance conducts specialized undergraduate pilot training for more than 400 U.S. Air Force and Allied student pilots annually, operating a fleet of over 185 aircraft, flying more than 55,000 sorties and logging over 80,000 flying hours each year.
Chief McReynolds hails from Killeen, Texas, and entered the Air Force in April 1998 as a Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics Technician. He has held various positions within the maintenance career field and served a tour as a First Sergeant. His assignments include bases in Georgia, Utah, South Korea, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Alaska. He deployed to forward operating locations in Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINAL, and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
Prior to joining the 71st Flying Training Wing, Chief McReynolds served as the Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds,” Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
EDUCATION
2002 - Airman Leadership School, Hill AFB, Utah.
2011 - USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2012 - Associate in Applied Science, Avionics Systems Technology, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 - Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education by correspondence
2013 - First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2014 - USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy by correspondence
2015 - Associate in Applied Arts, Human Resource Management, CCAF, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 - USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2018 - Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 - Maintenance Supervision and Production Course, McConnell AFB, Kan.
2022 - Chiefs Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
2023 - Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I by correspondence
2024 - Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II by correspondence
2024 - Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation Course, The Judge Advocate General’s School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 - Wing Command Team Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1998 - May 1998, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. May 1998 - February 1999, Student, Technical Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. February 1999 - May 2001, F-16 Avionics Systems Apprentice, 68th Fighter Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
4. May 2001 - July 2003, F-16 Avionics Systems Journeyman, 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
5. July 2003 - June 2004, F-16 Avionics System Craftsman, 51st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
6. June 2004 - October 2006, Specialist Expeditor, 524th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Cannon AFB, N.M.
7. October 2006 - November 2010, Avionics Technician/Thunderbird #1 Asst Dedicated Crew Chief, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. November 2010 - September 2013, Specialist Expeditor/Asst Specialist Section Chief, Tomahawk Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. September 2013 - May 2015, First Sergeant, 548th Operations Support Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
10. May 2015 - April 2016, First Sergeant, 9th Intelligence Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
11. April 2016 - August 2017, First Sergeant, 48th Intelligence Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
12. August 2017 - March 2018, Specialist Section Chief, 99th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Beale AFB, Calif.
13. March 2018 - September 2019, U-2 Lead Production Superintendent, 99th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Beale AFB, Calif.
14. September 2019 - September 2020, Assistant Superintendent, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Eielson AFB, Alaska
15. September 2020 - March 2021, Superintendent, Training & Support Division, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
16. March 2021 - September 2021, Superintendent, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
17. September 2021 - September 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Eielson AFB, Alaska
18. September 2022 - May 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
19. May 2024 - Present, Command Chief Master Sgt., 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Okla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class April 22, 1998
Senior Airman Aug. 22, 2000
Staff Sergeant June 1, 2002
Technical Sergeant Jan. 1, 2009
Master Sergeant May 1, 2013
Senior Master Sergeant July 1, 2018
Chief Master Sergeant July 1, 2021
(Current as of May 2024)