8th Fighter Wing honors newest chiefs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Steffen
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  
The 8th Fighter Wing welcomes four new chief master sergeants to its ranks during an induction ceremony, here, Feb. 13 at the Loring Club.

The newest chiefs are Senior Master Sgt. Todd Connolly, 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit; Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Davis, 8th Force Support Squadron; Chief Master Sgt. Steven Thomas, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron; and Senior Master Sgt. Michael Winslow, 8th Maintenance Squadron.

Achieving this rank is truly a reason to celebrate as only the top one percent of the Air Force's enlisted structure achieves this milestone. As a matter of fact, the rank of chief master sergeant was not a part of the enlisted force structure until Congress established the Career Compensation Act of 1958. As a result, this act allowed only the top one percent of the Air Force's enlisted force structure to be inducted into this elite group.

Command chief master sergeant of Pacific Air Forces Command, Command Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. The Chief delivered a motivating speech to the new chiefs.

"Congratulation Chiefs! This is a great thing for you. You will do what every person promoted to E9 wants to do-to make a difference in people's lives," said Chief McLean.

Col. Robert Givens, commander 8th Fighter Wing, concluded the ceremony by saying, "We celebrate the accomplishments of the four [chiefs], here, tonight to inspire you; to make sure that you know that this is within your grasps."