On September 18, 2023, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, the top enlisted airman of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), was removed from his post amid an ongoing investigation. The relief was carried out by AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, who stated the action was due to a “loss of confidence in [Green’s] ability to fulfill his duties.”
In an email sent to AFSOC personnel on September 19, Conley emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration. He reiterated the importance of adhering to high standards of conduct and maintaining good order and discipline within the command. This email was later confirmed by AFSOC and shared on the unofficial Facebook group “Air Force amn/nco/snco.”
AFSOC spokesperson Lt. Col. Becky Heyse confirmed that an investigation into Chief Master Sgt. Green is ongoing but did not provide details regarding its nature or timing. She assured that Conley remains committed to the well-being of all airmen in AFSOC.
AFSOC comprises approximately 21,000 airmen across 10 operational wings and two special operations groups. As AFSOC’s command chief, Green was responsible for advising on the readiness, training, education, and resilience of the enlisted airmen.
Chief Master Sgt. Green enlisted in the Air Force in 1995 and took on the role of AFSOC command chief in May 2023. He has held various positions including maintenance technician for multiple aircraft, such as the C-130, and served as a flying crew chief, which involves troubleshooting and fixing aircraft issues in-flight. Prior to this position, Green was the senior enlisted leader for force structure, requirements, resources, and strategic assessments at U.S. Special Operations Command in Florida. He also served as command chief for various units, including the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
The reporting on this matter has been conducted by Stephen Losey, who specializes in air warfare for Defense News and has previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, along with operational coverage in the Middle East.
