MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Members of the 908th Airlift Wing,
As most of you know, I was recently selected to be the Command Chief of the 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB. As I prepare for my departure, I would like to take a moment to express a few things...
First, I would like to thank Col. Drescher for allowing me the opportunity to serve all of you over the last three years. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to represent you and be your voice on so many occasions. During my tenure here, thorough every engagement, all of you and your best interests have been at the heart of everything. Improving your careers, professional development, training, mentorship, and those things that affect your careers have been a priority.
When I arrived three years ago, there were a few goals that I had in mind to accomplish while here. I’ll just mention three of them… First, I wanted to ensure that the culture was one that allowed everyone to feel like they had a voice in the wing and could use their voice to enact change so that any blind areas would be uncovered, as we all worked as a team toward a common goal… The Mission! Second, I wanted to empower everyone to feel like they are part of and serve something bigger than themselves so they would know that they can and do make a difference. Lastly, no matter the issue at hand, I wanted to ensure that upon my departure, I left the wing better than I found it. Anything less would not be acceptable.
I feel like we have reached at least two of those goals: you having a voice to enact change and you being empowered to serve something bigger than yourself. As far as the last goal goes, I’ll leave each one of you and history to decide if I will leave the 908th better than I found it.
Those goals I mentioned were just three of many. However, I feel like we did so much more than that. I didn’t take into account that we would execute the largest deployment in the history of the wing while in a worldwide pandemic and while transitioning to another mission set. To accomplish those three things, I mentioned is an amazing feat by themselves. To do it along with those other three things thrown into the mix leaves me speechless. The only reason all of that has gotten accomplished is because of you. The Wing Command Team took your input and feedback and gave you guidance on what steps to take in order to be successful, and you exceeded those expectations.
You have made my tour here at the 908th nothing short of exciting and memorable. I have made new friends and everlasting memories. As I depart, I wish each and every one of you the very best and challenge you to continue setting the bar higher than the day before. I look forward to watching you and the Wing grow from a distance.
TRACY D. CORNETT, CMSgt, USAF Command Chief Master Sergeant