New Command Chief Master Sgt joins PACAF team

  • Published
  • By Captain Allison Farabaugh
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop began his tenure as Command Chief for Pacific Air Forces on July 5th and it’s a position he is extremely excited to occupy.

“I feel both honored and fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as the next Command Chief for Pacific Air Forces,” he said. “I want to thank the Airmen of PACAF for what they are doing everyday. PACAF has some of the most extreme weather conditions and working environments any where in our Air Force … and our Airmen are making the mission happen.”

Chief Bishop is no stranger to the Pacific. He began his Air Force career at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam and spent two assignments at Kadena Air Base, Japan. He served as the 18th Wing Command Chief during his most recent assignment to Kadena.

“To me, this is a home coming and I know how critical PACAF’s mission is to the defense of the US and the stability of the Pacific region,” he said. “I am proud to serve along side the thousands of great Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who maintain peace in this critical region. I am equally proud of the tremendous PACAF family members who support our Airmen as they deploy in support of the Global War on Terror or launch one of PACAF’s new C-17s to provide much needed humanitarian assistance to a needy region.”

And his new boss agrees.

"I am very excited to have Chief Tony Bishop re-join our PACAF team,” General Hester said. “His demonstrated leadership and experience in this AOR will enhance our ability to do our Nation's business through our great Air Force. He won't spend a lot of time in Hawaii as the Chief wants to see and talk with all Airmen... Enlisted and Officer."

The command chief’s goals are in direct support of the Air Force initiatives to win the war on terrorism, care for our Airmen and recapitalization of our fleet. In addition, he will continue to support commanders and enlisted leaders in the command by championing their issues at respective levels.

“I think I have a great deal of experience that will help me as the PACAF Command Chief to include my background in aircraft maintenance and first sergeant responsibilities,” he said. “Also having served in PACAF before, I have a good understanding of the political, cultural and geographic issues associated with service in the Pacific.”

Recognizing the diversity in this region, he plans to build upon and develop new relationships with the senior enlisted leaders of other military services, bi-lateral partners and coalition forces with the Pacific.

Chief Bishop is the 17th Chief Master Sergeant to serve as PACAF’s top senior enlisted person.

Chief Bishop was most recently the Commandant, United States Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell Air Force Base-Gunter Annex, Alabama. His other assignments include 62nd Military Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Washington, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, 1680th Airlift Control Squadron, Southwest Asia, 347th Fighter Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas