Chief Wicks rubs elbows with Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  There is not a better place to find out about an Airman's job than going to where he or she works, according to Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, 56th Fighter Wing command chief.

The chief visited four units Aug. 17 as a part of what he likes to call his management by walking around practice.

"It's important to visit the shops because they are opportunities for me to interact with our Airmen," Wicks said. "Getting to know Luke's Airmen allows me to bring issues or thoughts to our commander about the enlisted force. I can talk from experience, because I've seen them and what they do."

Wicks chose to visit four units during his mentorship program: physical therapy, military personnel, wing safety and egress.

"It was a morale booster to have Wicks in our clinic interested in what we do every day to help improve our Air Force," said Airman 1st Class Silver Daniels, 56th Medical Operations Squadron physical medicine apprentice.

Daniels showed Wicks the physical training machines to see what physical therapy is and how it's done.

During Wicks' visit the military personnel section he saw the daily activities of a personnel technician assigned to career development. They handle assignments, re-enlistments, promotions, separations and retirements.

"Knowing that the command chief took the time out of his day to thank us for what we do in supporting the mission meant a lot to this unit," said Master Sgt. Zar Manabat, 56th Force Support Squadron military personnel section superintendent.

"It was a great experience to have him in our office," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Seltmann, 56th FW weapons safety NCO, following the command chief's visit. "It was nice to ask questions and chat with him to get his perspective on issues facing the enlisted force."

The last place Wicks visited was egress. Egress maintains the ejection seat on the F-16. He was given a better understanding of what happens after the ejection control handle is pulled and how the explosives in the cockpit and on the seat work together to get the pilot out of the aircraft.

"Having Wicks seem genuinely interested to learn about our shop was quite pleasant," said Staff Sgt. Mitchell Lawhorn, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron aircrew egress systems journeyman.

As Wicks visited each shop he opened the floor to the Airmen to ask questions.

One Airman asked Wicks what his biggest concern was with the young generation in the Air Force.

"Our Air Force is changing every day; we are getting thinner, and we have less money and fewer people," Wicks said. "The concern I have with the young Airmen is getting them to understand, accept and know that this journey they are on, when they join the Air Force, is serious because their actions now will affect their future."

The most important elements of mentoring Wicks received throughout his career were to remain humble, be gracious and be a good listener.

"The Air Force doesn't go because of a command chief; it goes because of the men and women we have from all the various backgrounds and disciplines," Wicks said. "We all have to be cognizant that we learn from all ranks not just people who are senior to us; everyone has something to give."