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Bagram honors its newest chiefs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized three of its members who have been selected for promotion to the rank of chief master sergeant.

Honored that night were Senior Master Sgts. Sydney Parker, Wendy Ragnone and Shane Sandlin.

The ceremony was the brainchild of Chief Master Sgts. Joseph Thompson and Michelle Sobel, superintendents of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group and 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, respectively.

"I remember when I got my [chief's stripes]," said Thompson. "When I heard these three individuals were going to miss their induction by being deployed, the other chiefs and I got together to do something."

However, Thompson wanted to give credit to all the other 455th AEW organizations who helped make the event a success.

"Everyone excelled," Thompson said, "There were so many moving parts; this was a Team Bagram event."

Besides Airmen, several representatives of other services attended as well.

"The opportunity to share this event highlights the close working relationship that exists between all services here on Bagram," said U.S. Army Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David Sanborn. "I hope that this type of camaraderie exists at other joint bases here in theatre, because it truly solidifies our relationships and need for each other's skills during this tour of duty."

By law, only one percent of the enlisted force can hold the highest rank. The honorees were humbled by the recognition.

"We had Airmen from all ranks from chiefs down ... take time from their deployed ops tempo to make this event happen for just three chief selects that are here at BAF," said Sandlin, 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron superintendent.

"This one day highlighted us chief selects, but the other days to me highlight why we are known the world over as being able to deliver airpower at anytime and anywhere."

However, in his closing remarks, 455th AEW Commander Brig. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella, Jr. said receiving that final chevron is just the beginning.

"It's not the end," Guastella said, "Because now you are the one who will be expected to have the answers. You have to be able to translate the commander's intent to motivate the Airmen who will do 99 percent of the work to complete the mission."