Sitting with the Chief -- U.S. Air Force Warfare Center's new top enlisted speaks on assignment Published Jan. 11, 2007 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center welcomed a new command chief master sergeant Dec. 17. Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Hutton has replaced Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Sydnor's as the top enlisted member on Nellis. "To say I'm humbled is an understatement," said Chief Hutton. "After many years of coming here for [temporary duty] I finally get to stay and help out as the chief people look to for answers." Chief Hutton, as the command chief, is the primary adviser to the USAFWC commander on all matters affecting the quality, welfare, morale, management, and leadership of more than 16,000 enlisted Airmen across five wings, two battlelabs and 25 detachments. Among the Airmen he is in charge of, the chief said his biggest challenge will be harmonizing the Air Force's transformation with the Airmen's point of view. "We have to be able to articulate the direction the Air Force is going, said the chief, "It's hard for airmen to know what is expected of them, and I want to be able to make sure they know why we are heading in the direction we are." The chief spoke about one of his greatest interests, integrity. "Integrity is the most important core value to me. It is the foundation of the Air Force, without it you can't have trust, and without trust you won't have a team that is willing to work with you. It's OK to make a mistake, as long as it is honest. Just be sure to pick yourself back up and show, not tell, your subordinates or your supervisor that you are trustworthy." Chief Hutton also commented on the transformation of the Air Force and how it may seem that Airmen are being pushed aside for money and equipment. "Combat capability begins and ends with smart, [fit,] trained, motivated and well-equipped Airmen; without that, all the re-capitalization and technologies we have is just a pile of metal and plastic, and we must never forget that," he said. "We all hear in today's war that winning and equipment are the most important; I'm here to dispel that rumor and let all my people know, they are the number one priority in my book." The chief added, "I'm really looking forward to working with the men and women of the Warfare Center. It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside professionals who play a huge part in our current and future combat capability
