New 23rd Wing command chief takes reigns

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A new era recently began for 23rd Wing Airmen as Moody's thirteenth command chief master sergeant officially took the reigns May 24.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Henry Morgan believes his 29 years of Air Force experience will allow him to meet the needs of the new assignment and ensure the wing's Airmen continue to successfully complete the mission.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to have an impact on not only Moody Airmen, but Airmen throughout the five bases that comprise the 23rd Wing," said Chief Morgan, a Worcester, Mass., native.

The chief believes he is a good fit for the new position due to the various assignments and job titles he's held throughout his time in the Air Force, he said. His last assignment was superintendent of the 23rd Mission Support Group.

Chief Morgan started his career as a telecommunications operations specialist at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. He has more than 15 assignments under his belt and held a wide variety of jobs - from operating communications systems on airborne warning control systems to managing a data processing center.

"I've been a part of the maintenance, flying and support sides in my career," said Chief Morgan. "This allows me to be very flexible, and it helps me deal with different situations and personalities."

But with an Air Force currently undergoing substantial change, the chief reminds Airmen to also remain flexible.

"I need every Airman to stay focused and positive, because there is a lot of transformation occurring," said the chief. "Many programs are dwindling down, and we don't really know what the end results will be. So we need to step back and look at the overall objectives, keep our emotions under control and leave the decisions up to the decision-makers."

One of the initiatives Chief Morgan would like to emphasize around the wing is Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, which focuses on improving processes to perform the mission "smarter, not harder."

"When the rubber meets the road with AFSO-21, I feel some Airmen probably think their boss won't care about their advice," said Chief Morgan. "But we can't be satisfied with the status quo and must fight to make changes if needed. Nobody will know a process can be improved if we don't inform our leaders and supervisors."

In addition to AFSO-21, as Airmen fighting in the Global War on Terror, perhaps the most important facet of the job is to always stay prepared to deploy at all times, said Chief Morgan, who recently returned from a six-month deployment to Iraq.

"We need to have a focus to be ready to fight and win at a moments notice," said Chief Morgan, who was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts during his most recent deployment. "The operations tempo is very intense here, and people should have their paperwork ready so there aren't any complications. I only had a few days notice before I accepted my last deployment to Iraq and that can happen to anybody.

"(During my time in Iraq), I also found that some people weren't physically, mentally or emotionally prepared for being deployed," he added. "Some Airmen have a tendency to wait a month or two before they take a physical training test to get in shape. Due to the missions we are performing in the deployed environment, it's critical we stay fit at all times."

While the continued high operations-tempo environment may provide challenges to the chief, he feels the footprints the former 23rd Wing command chief left behind should set him on the path to success, said Chief Morgan.

"(Chief Master Sgt. Michael Mazzi) made himself approachable to everybody and had an outstanding rapport with the wing commander," he said. "I want to continue that relationship with the new wing commander, Col. Kenneth Todorov, in order to set a good tone for this entire wing. His legacy will definitely make it easier for me to transition."

With the promotion to the top enlisted spot of one of the largest wings in the Air Force, Chief Morgan doesn't seem to forget where he comes from and knows what his Airmen are capable of.

"I look forward to getting out and interfacing with the Airmen, because they are what is critical to accomplishment of the 23rd Wing mission," said Chief Morgan. "The most important thing to remember is that we're all Airmen, and everybody needs to get out there and roll up their sleeves, perform their mission and have fun."