3/22/2013 – VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Vannorsdall, 14th Air Force command chief and senior enlisted leader, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, will retire March 29, 2013, after 30 years of service.
Vannorsdall began his assignment here Aug. 1, 2011. His leadership spanned the Department of Defense Space Enterprise, comprised of Air Force, Army, Marine, and Navy forces, including five Air Force wings with 155 units at 44 worldwide locations.
The chief, who hails from Dayton, Ohio, enlisted in the Air Force in May 1983. He married his wife, Kate, following basic training and security specialist training. They have two children, Nicholas, 26, and Lucas, 20.
Vannorsdall’s background includes extensive leadership experience in security forces, and enlisted professional military education. He served as a security forces squadron and group superintendent before becoming a command chief master sergeant at the wing, air expeditionary wing, and numbered Air Force levels. His career afforded him opportunities to serve around the U.S. and overseas.
A combat veteran, Vannorsdall has deployed four times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The community is invited to the retirement ceremony. It will be held at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Coast Club.