Chief Master Sgt. Frank C. Harpster is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 126 Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He is responsible for advising the wing commander and other senior leadership on vital matters impacting the wing’s enlisted force regarding mission effectiveness, professional development, military readiness, training, utilization, health, morale and welfare.
Chief Master Sgt. Harpster began his military career in 1993 with the United States Air Force, where he served four years on active duty. In 2000, Chief Harpster enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard to further his military career with the 126th Air Refueling Wing. Chief Master Sgt. Harpster has served in many capacities in his career, including Communication and Navigation System Specialist, Instruments/Flight Control Specialist, IFCS shop lead, Avionics Element supervisor, ANG Advisor to the AFMC Commander and Maintenance Group Senior Enlisted Leader.
He has served in Operations: Northern Watch, Joint Forge, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn and Freedom Sentinel. Prior to his current assignment, Chief Harpster served as the 126th Maintenance Senior Enlisted Leader, Maintenance Group, 126 Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Illinois.
EDUCATION
1993 Electronic Principals, Kessler Air Force Base, Miss.
1994 Communication/Navigation Systems, Kessler AFB, Miss.
2000 PACER CRAG Avionics, Rockwell/Collins, Scott AFB, Ill.
2002 Craftsman Supervisory and Management Course, Shepard AFB, Texas
2004 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Bachelor of Science, Work Force Education and Development, Southern IL University, Carbondale, Ill.
2012 Associates of Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Maintenance Supervision and Production - AMC Expeditionary, Joint Base McGuire, N.J.
2016 Air Force Process Improvement Green Belt Certification-AMC CPI, Scott AFB, Ill.
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Joint Knowledge Online, J-7 Suffolk, N.Y.
2022 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Joint Knowledge Online, J-7 Suffolk, N.Y.
2022 Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, ANGRC, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2022 Air Force Sustainment Center Art of the Possible Senior Leader Course, AFSC, Tinker AFB, Okla.
ASSIGNMENTS
September 1993–October 1993, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
October 1993–April 1994, Student, Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss.
April 1994–September 1997, Communication/Navigation Specialist, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale AFB, Calif.
March 2000–August 2016, Instruments/Flight Control Specialist, 126th Maintenance Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
August 2016–July 2021, Avionics Supervisor, 126th Maintenance Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill.
August 2021–March 2024, Air National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, Tinker AFB, Okla.
March 2024 – October 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 126th Maintenance Group, Scott AFB, Ill.
October 2025-Present, Command Chief, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with “C” device and 5 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Lifetime Member, National Guard Association of Illinois
Member, Air Force Association
Member, Air Force Logistics Officer
(Current as of November 2025)