Master Sergeant Lofton D. Hayes was the Console Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), at the MacDill Air Force base for the 927th Air Refueling Wing, Tampa, Florida. The Command Post provides Wing, Reserve, and National levels of leadership to ensure mission readiness and execution. He provides operational guidance for command post controllers during twenty-four hour operations, affecting emergency management, nuclear command & control (NC2) in support of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and supports Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) with flight following procedures. Additionally, Sergeant Hayes conducts operational maintenance on Nuclear Command and Control Communication systems (NC3), develops and maintains operational checklist, advises the Wing Commander during Operational Reporting requirements and conducts scheduling for the military personnel controller team under his direct supervision.

Sergeant Hayes began his military career in the active duty Army in July 1997 as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (CBRNE) Specialist, serving eight years. He began his United States Army career at Ft. Drum, New York serving with the 10th Mountain Division 59th Chemical Company and completed his Army career with the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) 2nd Brigade Recon Troop (2BRT), Schweinfurt, Germany, August 2005. During his eight years of service, he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom II (Samara, Iraq) as the Tactical Operations NCOIC for the 2nd BRT and advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). In May 2010, Sergeant Hayes joined the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing as a Services Apprentice assisting with food preparation and the Fitness team. Sergeant Hayes accepted a position with the 121st Wing Command Post, where he developed himself personally, professionally and progressed in responsibility to become Console Operations NCOIC. Sergeant Hayes was selected to join the Total Force Integrated MacDill Command Post in Tampa, Florida. Sergeant Hayes acted in many capacities during this time, Console Operations NCOIC, Operations Training Manager, Top Secret Control Officer, and Wing inspection team member.

Sergeant Hayes embraced the “Whole Airman Concept” throughout his career. He earned an Associate of Business Management from Columbus State Community College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Ohio Christian University. He continues to be an active part of the community by volunteering with Veteran support agencies like Home Base throughout Florida. Sergeant Hayes has used these experiences to contribute to the success of the Command Post, the 927th, and being an exceptional Military Ambassador.

Education

• 2011 – Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management, Columbus State Community College, Columbus, Ohio
• 2012 – Joint Nuclear Command and Control Course, 81th Training Group, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
• 2013 – AMC Command and Control Course, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
• 2014 – Airman Leadership Course, Distance Learning, Air University
• 2016 – Pinnacle Honor Society, Bachelors of Arts in Business Management, Ohio Christian University, Circleville, Ohio
• 2018 – Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Distance Learning, Air University

Assignments

1. December 1997 – August 2000, Chemical Platoon Member, 59th Chemical 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY
2. August 2000 – January 2001, Chemical Platoon Squad leader, 59th Chemical 10th Mountain Division, Ft. Drum, NY
3. February 2000 – February 2004, CBRNE NCOIC, 2nd Brigade Recon Troop 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, GER
4. March 2004 – August 2005, Tactical Ops NCOIC, 2nd Brigade Recon 1st Infantry Div., Operation Iraqi Freedom II
5. May 2010 – July 2011, Service Member, 121st Mission Support Group, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
6. August 2011 – December 2018, Command Post Controller, 121st Command Post, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
7. January 2019 – December 2020, NCOIC Console Operations, 121st Command Post, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
8. January 2021 – September 2022, NCOIC Console Operations, MacDill Command Post, MacDill AFB, Florida
9. October 2022 – September 2023, NCOIC Console Operations Training, MacDill Command Post, MacDill AFB, FL
10. October 2023 – June 2025, NCOIC Console Operations, MacDill Command Post, MacDill AFB, Florida

Major Awards and Decorations

• Army Commendation Medal
• Air and Space Achievement Medal
• Valorous Unit Award
• Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster
• Good Conduct Medal with Two Loop Devices
• Air Force Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Force Recognition Ribbon
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Award
• Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon
• Air Force Longevity Service with Four Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Force Reserve Medal with One Hourglass Device
• Army Service Ribbon

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Private (PV2) US Army – July 24, 1997
• Private First Class US Army – August 1, 1998
• Specialist US Army – August 1, 1999
• Sergeant US Army – August 1, 2000
• Staff Sergeant US Army – January 1, 2004
• Staff Sergeant US Air Force – May 13, 2010
• Technical Sergeant US Air Force – August 1, 2014
• Master Sergeant US Air Force – October 15, 2020

Family

• Spouse – Jennifer Hayes
• Daughter – Shanell Hayes
• Son – Mercurie Hayes (Air Force Member)