Who must appoint the primary and alternate narcotic custodians in writing?

• A. Wing commander
• B. Squadron commander
• C. Command Master Chief
• D. Base security chief

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that who handles controlled substances must be officially designated in writing by the unit’s commander to establish clear responsibility and a traceable chain of custody. In a squadron, the commander has the authority to assign the primary narcotic custodian and an alternate, ensuring the person chosen is trained, trusted, and available to meet security and regulatory requirements. Writing the appointment creates a formal record that can be reviewed during inspections and audits, and it enables accountability if duties change or if coverage is needed when the primary is unavailable.

Higher-level commands set overall policy, and while the wing commander may oversee broader security programs, the actual designation of responsible custodians within a squadron is delegated to that squadron’s commander. The base security chief oversees installation-wide security programs but does not typically appoint individual unit custodians. The command master chief serves as a senior advisor and does not act as the official appointing authority for controlled-substance custodians.