Chief Master Sgt. Ayana S. Hodges is the Senior Enlisted Leader and 8G100 Career Field Manager at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover Air Force Base, Del. AFMAO has global responsibility for all Air Force mortuary matters for current and past conflicts, operates the nation’s sole continental US port mortuary, and provides 24/7 global contingency mortuary response teams in support of Air Force requirements. She advises the commander on all matters affecting the welfare of more than 100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians working at the mortuary and is charged with ensuring health and resiliency of the force.
Chief Hodges entered the Air Force in June 2000 as a Fitness Specialist. Her background includes various duties in food, lodging, fitness, protocol, resource management, mortuary affairs and Honor Guard. She has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to her current position, she was the Plans and Programs Division Superintendent, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations.
EDUCATION
2005 Airman Leadership School
2010 Associate’s degree, Fitness Requirements and Service Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base Ala.
2013 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2019 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Phase III, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2000 – July 2000, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. July 2000 – October 2000, Student, Services Apprentice Course, Lackland-Medina Annex, Texas
3. October 2000 – October 2001, Fitness & Recreation Specialist, 22nd Force Support Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kansas.
4. October 2001 – March 2005, Lodging Specialist, 99th Services Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada.
5. March 2005 – June 2005, Food Service Specialist, 99th Services Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. June 2005 – July 2006, Food Service Shift Leader, 99th Services Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. July 2006 – January 2008, Protocol Support NCO, USAF Warfare Center Air Combat Command, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 2008 – October 2009, Food Service Shift Leader, 4th Force Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
9. October 2009 – February 2012, Dining Facility Manager, 4th Force Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
10. February 2012 – March 2013, Dining Facility Manager, 8th Force Support Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
11. March 2013 – December 2014, Resource Advisor, 86th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
12. December 2014 – April 2016, NCOIC, Fitness, 786th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
13. April 2016 – June 2017, Lodging Operations Manager, 19th Force Support Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
14. June 2017 – October 2018, NCOIC, Fitness & Sports, 19 Force Support Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
15. October 2018 – October 2019, Food Operations Section Chief, 19th Force Support Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
16. October 2019 – June 2020, Food Service Section Chief, 51st Force Support Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
17. June 2020 – February 2022, Chief, Sustainment Flight, 51st Force Support Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
18. February 2022 – August 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 325th Force Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
19. August 2022 – September 2023, Superintendent, Sustainment Services Flight, 325th Force Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
20. September 2023 – March 2025, Superintendent, Operations Support Division, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover AFB, Del.
21. March 2025 – February 2026, Superintendent, Plans & Programs Division, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover AFB, Del.
22. February 2026 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover AFB, Del.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal, two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal, two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal, five oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award, two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award, five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award, one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal, seven oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School
2013 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2013 Air Force Financial Management & Comptroller Resource Advisor of the Year, Installation Level
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic June 14, 2000
Airman Dec. 14, 2000
Airman First Class Oct. 14, 2001
Senior Airman June 14, 2003
Staff Sergeant May 1, 2005
Technical Sergeant June 1, 2010
Master Sergeant Aug. 1, 2018
Senior Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2022
Chief Master Sergeant Feb. 1, 2026
(Current as of May 2026)