"You've been served," Chiefs say

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Minot command chiefs served the base community lunch Sept. 1 at the Dakota Inn Dining Facility here.

The focus of their involvement was to get to know their Airmen and understand the challenges Airmen face in their respective jobs.

"I think it's a good gesture for leadership to show an interest in the junior enlisted Airmen and show support in this fashion," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Jackson, 5th Communications Squadron plans and programs supervisor. "It is very important to get involved with our Airmen and it helps when the Airmen know their Chiefs are in it for their well-being."

Morale and wellness has always been a real struggle for base senior leadership here. Minot AFB is known for long, hard winters and limited resources on base. The 12-mile trek downtown can be extraordinarily dangerous during the winter months.

The command chiefs want to ensure their Airmen understand they care and are interested in their lives.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy emphasized the importance of his Airmen across the globe, to include the 5th Bomb Wing Warbirds and 91st Missile Wing Rough Riders of Minot AFB, during his appointment speech at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., June 30.

"We must take care of the Airmen who are contributing at home as well as in the field," Chief Roy said. "Whether these Airmen are standing watch at our base gates in-garrison, or providing health care for our families, or taking on additional roles for a deployed coworker, our Airmen across the globe are working diligently to keep pace with our intense operations and personnel tempo."

Minot Airmen appreciate the interest their leadership shows in them; especially those working at the dining facility where the Chiefs augmented Minot's very own chefs.

"I love cooking and working here," said Airman 1st Class Heather Lucas, 5th Force Support Squadron first cook. "I think it's great the Chiefs came here to help us out. It makes us feel important and appreciated."

Chief Master Sergeants Martin K. Smith, 5th BW command chief, and Gregory M. Fleming, 91st MW command chief, donned the chef hats and served hot food to their Airmen.

"How are we to know what our Airmen are dealing with if we're not out here talking with them," Chief Fleming said. "It is important for us to get out of our offices and interface with our troops. We also think they get a kick out of us serving them."

Many were filled with much more than just good food from lunch; they were filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude by the senior enlisted across the board when they made eye contact with their respective command chief.

"You can really see in people's eyes how they are doing and how they feel," Chief Smith said.

Air Force Chiefs taking an interest in their Airmen and on occasion working alongside them in the implementation and completion of their duties is a tradition dating back since the creation of the Air Force Sept. 18, 1947.