Changing of the Chief

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.- --  
The responsibility charged to a command chief of any U.S. Air Force base is sure to make them an important figure on base and the surrounding community. From carrying out the wing commander's priorities, being a liaison between the base and local community, and staying in tune with the Air Force as a whole, command chiefs must be versatile, disciplined and approachable.

On Nov. 14, 2014, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief, shifts his Altus AFB duties East as he moves on to be the new command chief of Eglin AFB, Fl. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Powell will be assuming the position of Altus' new command chief.

"I never thought I'd make it past Master Sgt.,"said Creager. He will soon be serving at his forth base as a command chief. The experience he gained and leaders he's had during his 27 years of service helped make him into the Airman he is and prepared him for a command chief position. "I've had great supervisors and not so good supervisors and learned a lot from both."

"My time at Altus has helped me with networking and I have seen the possibilities it opens up when a base works well together," said Creager. Strong support from associations such as the Top Three and Airman Leadership School is also something he hopes to incorporate at Eglin if it doesn't already have a strong presence.

Creager uses a combination of high expectations and a passion for the Air Force and Airmen to be an effective leader. "The American Airmen are amazing. When you look at the things people do, it's nothing short of exceptional," he said. "I expect people to follow the rules, know their jobs and the mission. Doing that they can achieve excellence and as long as people are following the core values everything will fall into place."

As a true leader, Creager's humbleness doesn't let ego get in the way of what is important. "It's not about me," said Creager. "Not, 'how do I put my name in lights', but 'how do I support the mission."

From the immense local support of the small town and base to the mission being carried out, Creager recognizes and will miss the unique attributes of Altus.

To the Airmen of Altus, Creager said, "It truly has been an honor being part of this wing. To see the amount of awards that come rolling into this place because of the amount of excellence they've achieved, it's just unbelievable. It's truly humbling."

For Creager, the change will be bittersweet. "Palm trees make me smile," he laughed, but "It's going to be tough to leave Altus."

As we wish Chief Creager the best, knowing he will be a great asset to Eglin AFB, we welcome a familiar face as our new command chief.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Powell, 97th Medical Group superintendent, has served in the Air Force for 27 years and says he is ready for the challenges that come with being command chief.

"I'm a people person; I enjoy getting out and seeing people face to face and getting to interact with them," said Powell. "For me, that's going to be the best part."

With the good, comes the difficult, but Powell believes he is prepared for that, too. "You have to get out in front of things before it gets out of control," he said. "That means giving the most accurate and up-to-date information to the people."

Powell said that up-front approach will be his key to being a successful command chief. "Altus Airmen can expect transparency, no mysteries, and the support and tools they need," he said. "I will remain visible and represent the Airmen in the highest and most professional manner."

Like all Airmen, Powell didn't get to be where he is on his own. "I've had a lot of good mentors who've given me good exposure," he said. He also gives credit to his experiences as a Military Training Leader. "That gave me that full round of expertise."

Though he is confident in his abilities, he doesn't let that go to his head. "It's a great feeling," he said. "I feel very privileged and definitely humbled when you look at the process to get to this."

Powell said he believes a good command chief must have two attributes: a passion for the Air Force and a passion for the people. These two characteristics are what have helped Creager become the command chief of four bases and will be what carries Powell through his duty at Altus.