USAFCENT command chief visits Creech

Published Aug. 20, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
432d Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

CREECH AFB, Nev. -- The senior enlisted leader of U.S. Air Forces Central visited Creech AFB Aug. 14 to get a closer look at the base and meet with Airmen assigned here.

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, USAFCENT Command Chief, was impressed by the level of professionalism and dedication shown by Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing. During his visit, he wanted to take time to hear from Airmen as well as pass on some important points.

"During my visit to Creech, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Airmen here overcome challenges such as the distance they drive daily, and various conditions such as the heat and the new facilities and mission," Chief Dearduff said. "They overcome those challenges because they're focused on their mission and they understand how important it is."

Chief Dearduff said he was glad he got the opportunity to talk with Airmen and to thank them for their service. He said he was impressed with their stories.

"It's clear that the mission here is vital to our success in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the entire (Area of Responsibility). We just can't win the battles we're in without the mission at Creech," he said.

As the senior enlisted leader of USAFCENT, Chief Dearduff wanted Airmen assigned to the 432nd AEW to know leadership at all levels understand issues Airmen assigned at Creech face. He said wing leadership has a clear vision about expeditionary operations while realizing there is also a permanent footprint.

"The 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing leaders at all levels have a good vision for the future and remain focused on the needs of the Airmen completing the mission," he said. "They are balancing the expeditionary nature of the installation with the long term expectations of the mission."

Prior to departing the base, Chief Dearduff wanted to emphasize to Airmen that they should know where they fit in relation to the mission and ensure that they follow all set standards from basic customs and courtesies to following technical orders to the letter.

"There are two things I want every Airman to do. The first thing is, we want them to be able to know and understand their mission and articulate how they fit into the big picture. Second, we don't want Airmen to pick and choose what standards they follow," Chief Dearduff said. "The easy standards are just as important as the hard standards and all standards are important. If you don't always follow the easy standards, I'd question what you do when it comes to following the hard standards."

Chief Dearduff said that during his visit he was able to get a first-hand look to see how much the base is growing.

"Having seen from a distance and knowing how small the footprint was here, I was impressed to come out and actually see how robust this place is becoming."