CMSgt Lehi S. Hartwell is Command Chief Master Sergeant at the 124th Fighter Wing, Boise, Idaho. He represents the highest level of enlisted leadership and is the principal advisor to the Wing Commander. He is responsible for all enlisted matters related to force utilization, mission effectiveness, training, development, and morale for over 1,200 personnel.
Chief Hartwell enlisted in the Idaho Air National Guard in February 2001, as a Munitions Systems Apprentice. He has been a member of the 124th Fighter Wing for over 24 years. For the first 15 years, Chief gained extensive experience across all sections of Munitions, culminating in his role as the Production Element Superintendent. In 2016 he deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE to Incirlik AB, Turkey, as the Munitions Flight Chief with the mighty A-10C Thunderbolt. Chief held multiple leadership roles within the Maintenance Group, including the Fabrication Element Superintendent, Flightline Avionics Superintendent, Wing Avionics Manager and Quality Assurance Superintendent.
His career accomplishments include nine deployments to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINEL, and INHERENT RESOLVE. He was also mobilized stateside for Operation NOBLE EAGLE following September 11th and two State of Idaho emergency declarations providing wildfire support. Prior to his current position, Chief Hartwell served as the 124th Mission Support Group Senior Enlisted Leader, Boise, Idaho. He was the lead enlisted advisor for 340 Airmen across five squadrons, providing guidance to senior leadership.
EDUCATION
2003 Airman Leadership School – Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Alabama, by correspondence
2007 NCO Academy - Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2008 Associates of Applied Science, Munitions Systems, Community College of the Air Force – Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2010 Senior NCO Academy - Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint PME-I, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., by correspondence
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint PME-II, Joint Knowledge Online, Suffolk, Va., by correspondence
2021 Associates of Applied Science, Avionics Technology, Community College of the Air Force – Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2022 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews AFB, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2001 – February 2006, Munitions Systems Journeyman, 124th Maintenance Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho (November 2002 - May 2003, Conventional Munitions, 332 AEW, Bagram Air Base(AB), Afghanistan, Al Jaber AB, Kuwait, Talil AB, Iraq) (October 2004 – December 2004, Line Delivery, 379 AEW, Al Udeid AB, Qatar) (December 2004 – March 2005, Conventional Munitions, 386 AEW, Ali Al Saleem AB, Kuwait) (July 2005 – September 2005, Line Delivery, 332 AEW Balad AB, Iraq)
2. February 2006 – April 2015, Munitions Systems Craftsman, 124th Maintenance Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho (May 2006 – September 2006, Line Delivery & Countermeasures NCOIC, 332 AEW, Balad AB, Iraq) (May 2007 – Sep 2007, Flightline Expeditor, 438 AEG, Al Asad AB, Iraq) (June 2008 – September 2008, Flightline Expeditor, 455 AEW, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
3. April 2015 – April 2016, Munitions Systems Superintendent, 124th Maintenance Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
4. April 2016 – June 2018, Fabrication Superintendent, 124th Maintenance Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho (April 2016 – October 2016, Munitions Flight Chief, 447 AEG, Incirlik AB, Turkey)
5. June 2018 – January 2020, Avionics Superintendent, 124th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Gowen Field, Idaho
6. January 2020 – December 2021, Quality Assurance Superintendent, 124th Maintenance Group, Gowen Field, Idaho (May 2020 – August 2020, Maintenance Chief, 455 AEW, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
7. December 2021 – November 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 124th Mission Support Group, Gowen Field, Idaho
8. December 2022 – Present, Command Chief, 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, Idaho
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with three service stars
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and eight oak leaf clusters
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Idaho Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters
Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Idaho Reenlistment Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters
Idaho Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Feb. 2, 2001
Senior Airman Dec. 8, 2001
Staff Sergeant Feb. 15, 2005
Technical Sergeant March 3, 2007
Master Sergeant Feb. 6, 2010
Senior Master Sergeant April 11, 2015
Chief Master Sergeant July 7, 2020
(Current as of August 2025)