Master Sergeant JONATHAN P. WHELAN
MASTER SERGEANT JONATHAN P. WHELAN
Master Sergeant Jonathan Whelan is the Superintendent, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He serves as the personal adviser to the Demonstration Team Commander on issues impacting mission effectiveness, morale, readiness and quality of life for 14 active-duty personnel comprising of five different AFSCs. He provides management and oversight advice to sustain aircraft readiness in order to support up to 28 air shows per year. As the senior enlisted leader, MSgt Whelan manages the group’s recognition programs and implements professional development opportunities supporting the career progression of 14 enlisted Airmen.
Sergeant Whelan grew up in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and entered the Air Force in November 2003 as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice. He has performed numerous duties as a crew chief, to include Maintenance Instructor, Flightline Expediter, TAMS Section Chief and Production Superintendent. His assignments include bases in Alaska, Florida, South Carolina, South Korea, and Utah. He has deployed in support of Operations NEW DAWN, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOMS’ SENTINEL
EDUCATION
2003 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2003 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (Cold) Training, Sheppard AFB, TX
2004 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (Hot) Training, Tyndall AFB, FL
2008 Airman Leadership School, Eglin AFB, FL
2014 NCO Academy, Peterson AFB, CO
2015 Enlisted Joint PME
2016 Aviation Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2004 – April 2007, Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK
2. May 2007 – Mar 2009, Dedicated Crew Chief, 60d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL.
3. April 2009 – February 2013, Dedicated Crew Chief, 79th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC
5. March 2013 – March 2014, Senior Weapons System Coordinator, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Kunsan AB, South Korea
6. April 2014 – August 2014, Dedicated Crew Chief, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
7. September 2014 – November 2015, Maintenance Instructor, 388th Maintenance Group, Hill AFB, UT
8. December 2015 – January 2018, NCOIC of Instructor Element, 388th Maintenance Group, Hill AFB, UT
9. February 2018 – October 2018, F-35 TAM (5th Gen) Section Chief, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hill AFB, Utah
10. November 2018 – July 2019, F-35 Flightline Expediter, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hill AFB, UT
12. August 2019 – December 2020, F-35 Production Superintendent, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hill AFB, Utah
13. January 2021 – Present, Superintendent, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Hill AFB, Utah.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 5 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with 4 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 4 oak leaf cluster
