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
2010 Associate’s degree, Fitness Requirements and Service Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB Ala.
2013 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Ramstein AB, Germany
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
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
-
June 00 – July 00, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
-
July 00 – October 00, Student, Services Apprentice Course, Lackland-Medina Annex, Texas
-
October 00 – October 01, Fitness & Recreation Specialist, 22 FSS, McConnell AFB, Kansas.
-
October 01 – March 05, Lodging Specialist, 99 SVS, Nellis AFB, Nevada.
-
March 05 – June 05, Food Service Specialist, 99 SVS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
-
June 05 – July 06, Food Service Shift Leader, 99 SVS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
-
July 06 – January 08, Protocol Support NCO, USAF Warfare Center Air Combat Command, Nellis AFB, Nev.
-
January 08 – October 09, Food Service Shift Leader, 4 FSS, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
-
October 09 – February 12, Dining Facility Manager, 4 FSS, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
-
February 12 – March 13, Dining Facility Manager, 8 FSS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
-
March 13 – December 14, Resource Advisor, 86 FSS, Ramstein AB, Germany
-
December 14 – April 16, NCOIC, Fitness, 786 FSS, Ramstein AB, Germany
-
April 16 – June 17, Lodging Operations Manager, 19 FSS, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
-
June 17 – October 18, NCOIC, Fitness & Sports, 19 FSS, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
-
October 18 – October 19, Food Operations Section Chief, 19 FSS, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
-
October 19 – June 20, Food Service Section Chief, 51 FSS, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
-
June 20 – February 22, Chief, Sustainment Flt, 51 FSS, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
-
February 22 – August 22, Senior Enlisted Leader, 325 FSS, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
-
August 22 – September 23, Supt, Sustainment Services Flt, 325 FSS, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
-
September 23 – March 25, Supt, Operations Support Division, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Ops, Dover AFB, Del.
-
March 25 – February 26, Supt, Plans & Programs Division, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Ops, Dover AFB, Del.
-
February 26 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Ops, 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
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 August 1, 2018
Senior Master Sergeant, February 1, 2022
Chief Master Sergeant, February 1, 2026
(Current as of May 2026)