Global Strike Command bids farewell to first-ever Command Chief

  • Published
  • By Megan Meyer
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command's first-ever command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson, recently sat down to reflect on his role in building a major command from scratch.

"While Global Strike Command was born out of a series of mistakes, the people in place today have stepped out of that shadow," Chief Johnson said as he prepared to move on to the Senior Enlisted Leader position at U.S. Africa Command. "We buried that. We learned from it, we'll never forget it, but that's not who we are. We're moving forward, and we're not looking back."

Chief Johnson said "firsts" are always special, and being the first command chief for Air Force Global Strike Command gave him a unique feeling of closeness with the command's Airmen and their families.

"When you build a foundation with great leaders and a great team, it is very different than coming in and taking over for someone else--I'm going to miss the team," the Chief said.

The goal of re-building a nuclear and global strike culture is on track, said the Chief. He said he's seen the Airmen of Air Force Global Strike Command accepting the special trust and responsibility for "the most lethal infrastructure in the world."

More than a year and a half after the standup of the command, Chief Johnson said the Command's ability to 'deter and assure' has been widely publicized, and it is a unique mission.

"Our Airmen and their families are the most important Airmen we have; they are special," he said.

Since many of the command's Airmen are stationed at isolated northern tier bases and working relatively out of sight to most Americans, Global Strikers tend to forget how special they are, said the Chief.

Whether Global Strike Airmen are working outside at 30 degrees below zero, launching aircraft for global deterrence operations, or serving as support personnel--everyone is doing their part, Chief Johnson said.

"We are an elite, highly-disciplined team," Chief Johnson said.

One of the largest contributing factors to the success of the command, Chief Johnson said, was his relationship with its first commander, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, now retired.

Chief Johnson said General Klotz involved him in every program and every process, whether it traditionally involved a command chief or not, which gave him the status and the authority to be an effective senior leader.

"By his side, in every form, fashion and capacity, General Klotz allowed me to lead the enlisted men and women, and I'm very appreciative of that."

Chief Johnson will serve in a joint role at U.S. Africa Command as Combatant Command Senior Enlisted Leader to Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians in his fourth assignment as a command's top enlisted leader.

"Any opportunity that an Airman gets to represent his country--especially on a continent as great and vast as Africa--is an honor, and for me I'm privileged beyond belief to get to do so," Chief Johnson said.

For more information on Air Force Global Strike Command, visit www.facebook.com/AirForceGlobalStrikeCommand or find us on Twitter @afglobalstrike.