Luke's command chief says goodbye

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 56 fighter Wing Public Affairs
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. --  Chief Master Sgt. Mitch Stippel, 56th Fighter Wing command chief, leaves Luke Tuesday to be the 435th Air Base Wing command chief at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

Chief Stippel recently reflected on his time spent here at Luke and what it meant to him. 

"My time at Luke was amazingly fast paced," said Chief Stippel. "I've had many opportunities to speak with the Airmen here and hopefully fill them with the pride that comes from being a Thunderbolt." 

I will miss many things about Luke, but most of all the people that make up the largest fighter wing in the world and sharing in all the activity that is associated with it, Chief Stippel added. 

Chief Stippel, a guest at almost all award ceremonies, reminisced about his involvement with the Best of the West Award ceremony which was put on by the West Maricopa County Coalition. 

"I've had so many good times here with the Airmen and I'm extremely proud of all that they've accomplished," he said. "I was especially proud to stand in front of more than 450 of our most prestigious civic leaders and accept The Best of the West award on behalf of the Luke enlisted force for their community service." 

Chief Stippel said he has always been proud of the Airmen here at Luke and their accomplishments. 

"It was the empowerment of the Airmen to do things on their own that was my most significant accomplishment," he said. 

Chief Stippel recalled the number of driving under the influence related problems Luke was having and how the Airmen were tasked with coming up with a solution. Their solution was the creation of Airmen Against Drunk Driving. They wrote the constitution and set up the organization. Their hard work cut the number of DUIs in half, he said. 

"It just goes to show if you empower Airmen they will make things happen," he said. "Sometimes the best ideas don't come from leadership; they come from the Airmen that are close to the work and the problem. They can come up with a better solution most of the time; if you listen to them and let them do their thing, you will be amazed." 

Today's Airmen are faced with the challenge of the Air Force's transformation into a more agile force; it is a subject of anxiety that Chief Stippel understands. 

"One of the biggest challenges facing Airmen here at Luke and across the Air Force is transformation," Chief Stippel said. "The Air Force is pressing the Air Force Smart Operations 21program so we can stop flying the oldest F-16 fighters in the inventory. They're cutting manning to fund some of the Air Forces programs that are absolutely necessary and this causes anxiety for our Airmen at all levels. It's important for leadership to keep our Airmen motivated and informed about these transformations." 

Through his experience here at Luke, the chief learned using a subtle hand is easier and more productive than a forceful one. 

"When I first got here, I was seeing and hearing things that I thought I needed changing," Chief Stippel said. "I quickly realized my solutions were not always the best. My biggest lesson learned was to empower Airmen and they will succeed. Don't impose your will on your Airmen; just give them your vision and they will make it happen." 

With Chief Stippel's time here coming to an end, he will take the pride he has in Luke Airmen with him to his next assignment. 

"Be proud to be an Airman in the greatest Air Force in the world; be proud to be a Luke Thunderbolt," Chief Stippel said. "Continue on with that "fighter country" pride as you carry out the 56th FW's critical mission. It has been my greatest honor to be the command chief for the 56th FW at Luke. Beware the Tunderbolt!"