CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Smile! Everyone in the 437th Maintenance Group has certainly heard the order!
We all need to smile daily -- I haven't stopped smiling for two years. Wow; to be the maintenance group commander of the best maintainers in the world is the best job around. That puts a smile on my face every morning, but now I have to pack my bags and leave. However, for all the accomplishments, all the milestones, all the memories and all the friends, I am still smiling.
Arriving here directly from the area of responsibility, I never imagined what a phenomenal assignment and what a great mission I would be involved with here at Team Charleston.
During the past two years, I have worked alongside some of the best leaders and patriotic Americans. Our mission is real ... from trapped Russian submariners, AOR mishaps, Hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and many others, the Pakistan Earthquake, Lebanon noncombatant evacuation operations, daily Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom missions, vice president and presidential visits, and personal and unit awards that keep coming. Each and every day we put C-17s in the air supporting the Global War on Terrorism and our nation. Team Charleston, you are true professionals and that is definitely something to smile about!
There are some key people who had my back and truly made my job very easy.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank the maintenance group. To all active-duty, air reserve technicians, civilians and contractors: you rock! You make it happen each and every day, nights, weekends and holidays with anything from Department of Defense, Air Force and Air Mobility Command level awards and your day-to-day professionalism. You have astounded me from day one, so continue to reach for the stars. Just remember to keep safety, training, attitude, readiness and standards on your scope and you will continue to skyrocket. I am so proud of you.
Next, I'd like to thank all the chiefs. From the first day I got here, we all sat down and worked together to improve group morale, ensure safety and stabilize scheduling turbulence. You weren't shy and I know we fixed the potholes for today and paved the road for the future endeavors. The 437 MXG superintendents were my daily sounding board and they worked daily on maintenance issues, critical infrastructure and administrative packages to take care of our Airmen. I want to send special thanks to retired Chief Master Sgt. Rich Terry, retired Chief Master Sgt. Chris Aitken, retired Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Strother and Chief Master Sgt. Rick Eugley -- thanks so much to each of you.
I also want to thank the executive officers because they have the hardest job around. As servant leadership, our job was to take care of the people. Keeping the officer and enlisted performance reports, decs and all administrative packages for the more than 1,800 members in the maintenance group was a huge task. Thanks for the long hours and sometimes "thankless" responsibilities. Capt. Chris Shields, Capt. Nevah Jones, Capt. Jason Brooks, 1st Lt. Kyle Ingebritson, 1st Lt. Sarah Haarer, 1st Lt. Kevin Harrison and 1st Lt. Shawn Stachewicz were the keepers of the watch that helped this enterprise excel the key to that group was Redell Thomas, group administrator. Besides laying eyes on all packages, she pinch-hit as the group secretary whenever needed - salutes to all!
A special thanks goes to my squadron commanders: Lt. Col. George Pierce, Maj. Roger Klaffka, Maj. Brad Tannehill, Maj. George Unsinger and Maj. Steve Sanders. Their professional and personal interest in the Airmen and for the mission is seen everyday. Thank you!
I could not have survived without Col. Jim Joyce, retired Lt. Col. Jerry Inumerable, Lt. Col. Daryl Frazier, Lt. Col. P.J. McAneny and Mr. Norman Moore. You have no idea how much they do for Team Charleston each and every day. They are incredible and thanks are not enough for them!
Finally, my secretary, Erma Asaro, had my back each and every day. She made sure I got to every meeting (the last minute slide-ins were not her fault, but my time management shortfall!). Erma has been the 437 MXG secretary for a long time; she is the cornerstone of all our success. Thanks, Erma.
One final salute goes to my Wingman, Col. Donnalee Sykes. She has been my running buddy, my sounding board, my conscience and my friend. We have laughed, shopped, cried and worked together. There was not one day in the two years I've known her that we didn't talk, text or call each other. I can honestly say I couldn't and wouldn't have made these two years without her. Thanks, Wing(wo)man!
There were thousands here at Charleston who touched Gary's and my lives. Either you came and asked for our help or we asked for yours, and some of them have been in monumental ways. To all, thank you and God bless.