Photo By Staff Sgt. Bailey Benavides | U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kolb, 188th Wing, reflects on nearly four...... read more read more
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EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kolb began his career at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in 1986, the aircraft on the flight-line, the wing’s mission and the city of Fort Smith beyond the gate looked very different than they do today.
Over the next 36 years of service, Kolb had a front-row seat as generations of aircraft came and went from Ebbing, as missions evolved and the 188th Wing adapted to meet the need of the Air Force’s ever changing landscape.
Through each mission transition, one thing remained an important constant for Kolb: the people.
“Honestly, looking back on 36 years, what I’m most proud of is the incredible people I’ve lucked out working with and having the chance to help some amazing Airmen along the way,” said Kolb. “Seeing how much the 188th has grown and changed over the decades has been wild to watch, and looking back to day one, I never would have guessed I'd make it all the way to chief.”
Kolb’s career stretched across nearly four decades of change at Ebbing. As aircraft changed and new missions arrived, so did the responsibilities placed by the Airmen across the organization.
One of those chapters included serving as the senior enlisted leader of the 288th Intelligence Squadron, a position Kolb considers one of the significant milestones of his career.
“When people ask if there’s one specific person or moment that made my career, the truth is I can’t point to just one,” said Kolb. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a whole village of mentors and influences who guided me along the way, alongside key milestones—like having the honor of serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the amazing 288th Intelligence Squadron.”
That same sense of trust carried throughout Kolb’s career.
“For me, Chief Kolb has been much more than my senior enlisted leader. He has been a trusted adviser, mentor and sounding board,” said 288th Intelligence Squadron Commander Maj. Samuel Hardin. “He is the kind of leader who doesn’t need recognition to do the right thing, and the 188th is a better organization because of his service.”
Before Kolb was assigned to the 288th, he served as the 33rd Fighter Wing Program Integration Office Maintenance and Logistics lead as well as the team's senior enlisted leader for the stand up of the Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing ANGB from October 2022 to September 2023.
Former 33rd Fighter Wing, Detachment 1 Commander Col. Drew ‘Gus’ Nash, worked closely with Kolb during a period Nash described as a proverbial “foxhole”.
“I am so thankful that he was always there to share a therapeutic laugh when it felt like we just got run over by some unforeseen bus,” said Nash. “Chief Master Sgt. Kolb is the quintessential American Patriot, the most dedicated and competent of Arkansas Air National Guardsmen, a natural leader of Airmen, 100% trustworthy, 100% reliable, highly cherished brother-in-arms, and friend for life.”
While having many people in his career, who helped shape his career, Airmen or otherwise, Kolb said the one who had the greatest influence on him was always waiting for him at home.
“If I’m being completely honest, my biggest catalyst has been my wife,” said Kolb. “She has been my absolute rock, always supporting me through the long haul, but more importantly, never letting me settle for the status quo and constantly pushing me to reach my full potential.”
The support of his family accompanied Kolb through decades of changes at Ebbing. Aircraft arrived and departed, missions shifted and Airmen moved on, but Kolb said the relationships built within the wing created another family.
“When I think about what I’ll miss the most, it’s hands-down the everyday camaraderie and the genuine friendships I’ve built here over the years,” said Kolb. “The 188th has become like a second family to me.”
For Kolb, watching generations of Airmen take on the wing’s evolving missions became one of the most rewarding parts of his service.
“There is nothing quite like the feeling of standing back and watching our Airmen do absolutely amazing things under pressure, proving time and again that they are the best at what they do,” Kolb said. “I’m going to miss being in the thick of it with such a phenomenal team, because at the end of the day, it’s the people who made the 188th feel like home.”
As Kolb prepares to retire, another generation of Airmen will take responsibility for a wing that has continually adapted throughout his career.
His advice to them is to remember where the wing came from while continuing to push it forward.
“If I could leave any advice after 36 years, it’s to never forget the incredible legacy of the 188th and the men and women who paved the way before us,” Kolb said. “This wing has a proud, hard-earned legacy, and you are the ones writing its next chapter.”
Kolb also encouraged Airmen to take ownership of their careers and pursue opportunities rather than waiting for them to arrive.
“Don’t ever let yourself be the reason you don’t advance in your career,” Kolb said. “Actively chase down those growth opportunities, push your limits, and don’t wait for things to fall into your lap.”
Just as important, he said preserving the culture that has remained at Ebbing despite decades of change.
“Most of all, remember to have fun along the way and never let that ‘Guard family’ atmosphere die,” Kolb said. “Protect that culture, because looking out for each other is what makes this wing so special.”
After spending much of his adult life watching Ebbing, the 188th and his surroundings change, Kolb is ready for a different mission.
To travel with his wife, knock out his honey-do scroll, return to the golf course, spend his mornings hunting and fishing and making up for lost time with his grandchildren.
“As for what’s next, I am most looking forward to finally having the time to travel with my wife — though I know I’ll first have to catch up on the mountain of home projects she already has lined up for me,” Kolb said. “I can’t wait to get back out on the course to play some golf again, spend my mornings hunting and fishing, and, most importantly, hang out with and absolutely spoil the grandkids.”
Kolb arrived at Ebbing in an era defined by different aircraft, different missions and different generations of Airmen. Nearly four decades later, he leaves a wing that has transformed repeatedly, but in his view, has retained the people and culture that made him stay.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride,” Kolb said. “While I’m hanging up the uniform, the best part is knowing the wing is left in the hands of some truly phenomenal leaders.”
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2026 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 574184 |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Four Decades Forged in Change, by SSgt Bailey Benavides, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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