8th AF command chief visits Minot

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danny Monahan
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The top enlisted Airman from 8th Air Force visited here Feb. 25 to 27 for the first time in his nearly 30-year Air Force career.

Since becoming the 8th AF command chief in October 2006, Chief Master Sgt. Todd Kabalan has found his new job very rewarding.

"I have the greatest job in the Air Force," said Chief Kabalan. "I get to go to other bases, interact with Airmen and get feedback. The way I see it is I work for you."

Much of the feedback the chief has received lately has been about the new Airman Battle Uniform, which he was wearing during his visit here.

"The feedback about the ABU from about 99 percent of Airmen is positive," he said. "People come up to me and just want to feel it. Their next question is 'when do I get one?'"

The ABU is a wash-and-wear uniform that does not require starching or pressing.

"It comes already pressed," said Chief Kabalan. "This crease on my sleeve is a permanent crease on the uniform. These modifications will not only save Airmen dry cleaning and sewing expenses, but it will also save them time since it requires minimal care."

The Air Force is going to begin issuing the new ABU to Airmen deploying in Air and Space Expeditionary Force 7/8, including many from Minot Air Force Base. The chief also touched on deployments during his visit.

"When Airmen deploy, I ask that you be prepared, flexible and open-minded," Chief Kabalan said. "Once you get in country you have to remember you'll probably be in a joint environment. I want you to be proud you're an Airman, but don't be service exclusive. Our other branches have some great leaders as well as traditions."

Besides advice about deploying, Chief Kabalan encouraged Airmen to take both professional military education and personal education seriously while serving in the Air Force.

"Once an Airman has completed their five-level training, their very first appointment should be with an academic advisor from their base education center," said the chief. "From there, they should get a good sense of what direction they want to go in."

From May 1989 to November 1993, Chief Kabalan was a degree program administrator for the Community College of the Air Force at Maxwell AFB, Ala. During that time, he earned both a CCAF degree and a bachelor's degree from Troy State University.

"Working at the CCAF, I really began to understand the importance of education," he said. "I realized not only was it going to help me in my Air Force career, but also in a personal capacity. A civilian education in the enlisted corps is huge."

Although this was Chief Kabalan's first visit to Minot, he is well aware of the Team Minot concept.

"I am very impressed with what I have seen," he said. "One aspect I have been most impressed with is the professional development. What I have seen our NCOs doing with our younger Airmen here has been awesome. It's noticeable in the work centers. It's very evident that it is a Team Minot effort here."