Retired Air Force Chief Master Sargent William CalvinMarkham is a long time Air Force Special Operations Command quiet
professional. CMSgt Markham grew up in
Waukesha Wisconsin, and enlisted in the Air Force in June 1986. He began his career in Security Forces before
retraining into Combat Control in 1992, where he served in various operational
and staff positions within the Air Force Special Tactics enterprise. Chief Markham has an extensive operational
background to include advanced skills as a joint terminal attack controller,
freefall, static line jump master and combat dive supervisor. He has deployed in support of numerous
contingencies and Special Operations missions during Operations RESOLUTE
SUPPORT, FREEDOM SENTINEL, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING
FREEDOM-PHILIPPINES, JOINT ENDEAVOR, PROVIDE PROMISE and PROVIDE COMFORT.
Notably in 2001, he was
the first Airman in Afghanistan as the Combat Controller attached to
Operational Detachment Alpha 555, the famed “Triple Nickel.” From
14 October to 30 November, 2001 he directed multiple air strikes involving over
175 aircraft sorties resulting in the destruction of approximately 450 enemy
vehicles and the elimination of over 3,500 enemy troops, and leading to the
liberation of Kabul and the surrender of hundreds of Al Qaeda and Taliban
forces.
CMSGT Markham served as a
Command Chief on three separate assignments, first in Europe with the 352nd
Special Operations Group, then in Afghanistan at the Combined Joint Special
Operations Air Component – Afghanistan / 1st Expeditionary Special Operations
Wing, and finally at the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center at
Hurlburt Field, Florida. As Command
Chief, he advised the Commander on enlisted priorities including training and
education of Air Force Special Operations Forces, as well as AFSOC’s Irregular
Warfare program, innovation development and operational testing in support of
AFSOF throughout the world.
Chief
Markham retired from the Air Force in 2016, but continues to support the
special operations community in a civilian capacity as the Operations Officer
for the Special Operations Warfare Foundation where he works to ensure the children
of fallen Special Operations Forces are provided full college scholarships, counseling,
tutoring and advocacy support to ensure a bright and solid future.
Chief Markham and
Charity, his wife of 10 years, now live in Tampa, Florida. He has one daughter,
Shauna.