CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
WOW!
Where did the time go? Can you remember when your recruiter told you basic training would be the fastest 6 weeks of your life? Today is my retirement ceremony to celebrate 30 years of service to the United States Air Force. As I reflect on the past years, I find it hard to believe that 30 years have gone by so fast.
It really seems like yesterday I was leaving Lackland AFB, Texas for Chanute AFB Ill I and technical school training in the hydraulic career field. All of a sudden, it's time to retire and say goodbye to the many hundreds of Charleston warriors that have helped shape my career. I have spent more than 16 years at Charleston and have enjoyed every single moment.
I have shared laughs, tears, joy, pain and my promotion to chief with many of you that will continue to carry the C-17 cargo load of freedom. I cannot possibly call each of you out by name in this space but rest assured I thought of you in my heart and mind. I will never forget the support from great folks in flightline and back-shop maintenance, civilian personnel office, lodging, Charleston Club, clinic and Chiefs' Group just to name a few.
When 9/11 occurred, I was on leave headed to England to pick up my daughter. I did not hesitate to cancel leave, return to work, and assist Chief Richard Terry in doing whatever we could in a Gator to contribute toward resolving the crisis at hand.
In 2002, Chief Master Sgt. John Danko and I set up Charleston operations at Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. It was one of the proudest moments of my career as we put more C-17s and C-5s on that ramp than ever had been before. The fantastic team we had did all the work, we just ensured they had what was required to accomplish the mission. Every single person on that team helped write a part of Charleston history.
As I leave active duty, I would like to leave behind this one message. Take care of the people and they will take care of you. As you get promoted as an officer or enlisted Airmen, always take the time to look behind you and reach back to help someone that has helped you. As one hand touches another, eventually we will all have touched someone that made a huge difference in our service to the United States Air Force. Team Charleston warriors, I salute you one last time. Thank you for all you do. One team, one mission, one fight!