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380AEW Article

Deployed Aviano Chief, Riverton, Minn. Native adopts a life of electric blue

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  After twenty years of service in the U.S. Air Force you are eligible to retire, but there are those who choose to stay beyond.

With a quarter of a century dedicated to serving his country, Chief Master Sergeant Jeff Malherek, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, at an undisclosed location here, is one who has chosen, and by his rank, was chosen, to stay.

Through his lifelong dedication and achievements, Chief Malherek set out on his "blue" way of life as an electrical power specialist then went on to become the electrical superintendent.

He left behind the tiny central Minnesota town of Riverton, population: 60, where he grew up for worldwide travel and air superiority. Today he wears the top enlisted rank upon his sleeve.

"I have never looked back," said the Chief. "I consider it the greatest of privileges to serve and protect my country. I'm honored to be part of the team restructuring Iraq and liberating Afghanistan from their oppressors," he said.

Rising to the top has not only provided him with superior technical expertise but it has also has given him a panoramic view of the world. He has gone from Riverton's .9 square-mile plot of terrain, to the top echelon of the "world's most respected Air Force," according to its slogan.

Like the grand Mississippi River which flows nearby Riverton, he overshadows the majority of enlisted Airmen by achieving the top enlisted rank. In his position he's charged with managing 179 multi-craft civil engineer Airmen and oversees the organizations interaction with civilian contractors.

The civil engineer team performs installation, maintenance and modifications to utility services (electricity, water and fuel), explosive ordnance disposal, bioenvironmental and emergency response and fire protection as well as the ability to survive in a combat environment.

"Without these elements, no military unit can function much less win their nation's wars," said the chief.

Chief Malherek is deployed from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

The 380th AEW is comprised of five groups and 18 squadrons. The wing's mission is to provide air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance mission in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.