Q&A with 380 AEW Command Chief Published Sept. 16, 2009 By Senior Airman Stephen Linch 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- [Editor's Note - The following is a question and answer session with Chief Master Sgt. Suzan Sangster, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief master sergeant.] Q: What thoughts ran through your mind when you heard you were coming to the 380th AEW? A: I was surprised and thrilled to be selected for the command chief position at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing; It is a highlight in my career. Q: What are your goals while you are the 380th AEW command chief? A: My biggest goal is to take care of the Airmen and to continue our enduring mindset. Every Airman assigned to the 380th AEW should be excited about coming here and know that they will be taken care of. Q: How do you intend to accomplish your goals? A: Through communication-- Airman should understand how they contribute to our combat missions. I want them to know they make a difference. If we achieve that goal, then it will become to be personal to them, and they will do whatever it takes to be successful. Q: What advice do you have for deployed Airmen? A: Learn something new! Every day, an amazing orchestra of events occurs to execute our tasking order. Take advantage of our small community to learn the different aspects of what the 380th AEW brings to the fight. Q: What is you leadership philosophy? A: There are two areas I draw my leadership philosophy from - my mother and our Airman's Creed. As a child, my mother would say, "Always leave things better than you found it." Wise words we can all use daily at the 380th AEW. Then couple this mindset with our Airman's Creed. You will hear me talk a great deal about our Airman's Creed. I can personalize each of the lines to my life as an Airman. As a leader, I look at lines such as, 'Guardian of freedom and justice, My nation's sword and shield'. These are strong words- words I can get behind as a leader. Q: Where were you previously stationed and what is your background in the Air Force? A: I was previously stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va., with the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing. I was trained as a Chinese linguist and have spent a great deal of my career in intelligence related positions, at tactical, operational and strategic levels. Q: Anything else you would like to add? A: Keep in touch with your families and loved ones-- they are so important to our mission. My husband has been supportive of every deployment, which would be hard for many people; but we make communicating a priority. Take time out of your busy schedules to make sure you stay in touch with your loved ones during your deployment.