Photo By Airman 1st Class Matthew Bergh | U.S. Air Force Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Mundorff, a 17Y Cyber Effects & Warfare...... read more read more
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Biddle Air National Guard Base, Pa., -- The 111th Attack Wing celebrates a groundbreaking achievement appointing the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s first two warrant officers since the rank was reinstated after 66 years, marking a significant step forward for the state.
In 2024, the Air Force reinstated the warrant officer rank -- a technical expert serving as an advisor, trainer and leader to commanders and other leadership -- in an effort to address operational needs for cyber operations, communications and technological demands.
“As the career fields of cyber and communications are getting more technical, we have to better balance this need for leadership and being a technical expert,” said Col. Brian Silver, 111th Mission Support Group commander. “We were missing a lot of things, and the warrant officer option made a lot of sense to find that balance, fill the gap and apply those niche capabilities.”
Biddle Air National Guard Base is honored to welcome back Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Mundorff and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan DeRivera after the newest warrant officers completed an eight-week program at the Warrant Office Training School (WOTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
Tasked with the responsibilities of bridging the gap between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers, by sharing their technical expertise and contributing to overall mission success, a warrant officer’s role is no small feat.
“We need to maintain credibility,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Mundorff. “Commanders are going to look at us for answers, best practices. And if we do not know, we will find the correct answers.”
In maintaining this credibility, there is also a responsibility on the newest warrant officers to ensure the program is successful.
“We need to put in the work for future generation warrant officers to continue,” said Mundorff. “Since we are the first, what we do now and in the next few years will influence how the Air Force and commanders view warrant officers.”
There is an intrinsic benefit to bringing warrant officers back to the Air Force that sets them apart from officers and senior NCOs.
“There is an inherent trust and deferral to a warrant officer,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan DeRivera. “We have our noses buried in the regulations, we are subject matter experts, making sure we know the ins and outs. So, leadership can trust immediately that they can come to us for the answer to any of their questions as it relates to our career field.”
This historic milestone marks a major first for the 111th Attack Wing and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, which has appointed its first warrant officers since the Air Force reinstated the rank. The selection of Chief Warrant Officers Mundorff and DeRivera highlight the 111th Attack Wing in embracing this focus on technical expertise. Their appointment reflects a broader shift toward agile, expert-driven leadership as the Air Force continues to modernize to meet evolving cyber and communication demands—positioning the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as a key player in shaping the future force.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2025 16:11 |
| Story ID: | 500465 |
| Location: | BIDDLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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