Luke’s newest chiefs recognized

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ridge Shan
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Six Airmen were recognized for their promotion to chief master sergeant during the Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony which took place at Luke Air Force Base, March 3, 2018.

Senior Master Sgts. Gabriel Flagg, 56th Maintenance Group Armament Flight chief, Marty Marshall, 56th Force Support Squadron superintendent, Carlos Pubillones, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management superintendent, and Terry Jo Reppe, 607th Air Control Operations superintendent; and Chief Master Sgts. Daniel Gregory, 56th Maintenance Group Weapons superintendent, and Adam Rising, 550th Fighter Squadron superintendent, were all recognized for promoting or being selected for promotion to chief master sergeant.

“We’re truly honored they went all out for us,” Pubillones said. “We’re so used to giving and I was overwhelmed with joy to be on the receiving end. It was a night to remember forever.”

Being the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, chiefs typically manage the entire enlisted structure of units at the squadron level and higher. The responsibilities entrusted to chiefs are significant and reserved only for the top one percent of the enlisted force.

For this reason, achieving the rank of chief is considered one of the highest honors in the Air Force.

“Being a chief is about taking care of your people,” Gregory said. “If you take care of your people the mission will take care of itself. Our job is to clear roadblocks and ensure that our Airmen have everything they need in order to be successful.”

The ceremony honored the selectees and chiefs by awarding each one with placards in front of a crowd composed of their families, friends, and senior wing, major command, and Air Force leadership.

Attendees included Chief Master Sgt. David Brown, command chief of the 19th Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, command chief of the Air Education and Training Command, who was the guest speaker.

“What was particularly significant is the care and compassion that was displayed on reaching this milestone in our career,” Gregory said. “I was impressed by the amount of family and friends that came out to support us. Family is a cornerstone for what we do in the U.S. Air Force.”

The ceremony concluded with an address from Col. Michael Richardson, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, and remarks from the selectees. Outside of a general tone of thankfulness to family, friends and mentors, each member expressed their eagerness to step into their role in building the future of airpower.