Chief selects recognized at Club Five Six

  • Published
  • By Airman David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Four Luke Air Force Base Airmen were honored for having attained the highest enlisted rank at the Chief Recognition Ceremony Feb. 25 at Club Five Six.

With their promotions, Senior Master Sgts. James Conn, John Bilczewski, Stephen Kazmirski and Gregory Schmidt joined the ranks of those who make up the top 1 percent of enlisted Airmen.

Sergeant Conn, 56th Maintenance Group wing weapons manager, began his career in 1986 as an aircraft armament systems specialist at Luke where he worked as the "three man" on an F-15 weapons load crew. He also served as a squadron lead crew assigned to the weapons standardization section.

"It's an honor to become a chief master sergeant," Sergeant Conn said. "I hope my experiences from different assignments and jobs will help me become the best chief I can be."

Sergeant Bilczewski, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron flight chief, began his career in the Air Force in 1983 as an aircrew egress systems specialist at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. He completed various deployments during which time he received basic and advanced interrogation courses to prepare him for duties as a senior interrogator and superintendent with Task Force 134, Joint Interrogation Debriefing Center.

"I believe having had good mentors throughout my career will help me be a good chief," Sergeant Bilczewski said. "Making chief was never my ultimate goal, but this promotion tells me that I have been doing things right throughout my career."

Sergeant Kazmirski, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron Materiel Management Flight superintendent, entered the Air Force in 1991 as a supply management specialist. During his career he worked in numerous areas within the supply community to include war readiness, mission impaired capability awaiting parts, equipment management, mobility, materiel control and maintenance supply liaison. He also served as a first sergeant at both the squadron and group levels.

"Throughout my career I have always worked with fellow Airmen," Sergeant Kazmirski said. "Becoming a chief gives me the opportunity to work for my fellow Airmen."

Sergeant Gregory Schmidt, 56th Dental Squadron superintendant, started his career in 1987 as a dental assistant specialist in the 7241st Air Base Group at Izmir, Turkey. In 1997, he cross-trained into the dental laboratory career field and served as a laboratory technician.

He was selected as a distinguished graduate at NCO preparatory course and chosen as the John L. Levitow award winner at Airman Leadership School.

"I'm honored to have been selected for chief," Sergeant Schmidt said. "It gives me an even greater opportunity to give back to the Air Force and to help bring up our next generation of leaders."

According to Chief Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 56th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager, dedication and loyalty to the ideals and traditions of the Air Force will guide all Airmen throughout their career. The chief selects joined a group that carries a greater responsibility.

"Although they have already proven themselves capable of handling responsibility and carrying out duties professionally, their promotion to chief carries with it an obligation of the highest importance -- it encompasses honor, integrity, dedication and trust," said Chief Master Sgt. Killjan Anderson, 56th Security Forces Squadron superintendant.