Misawa’s new command chief

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing
Misawa Air Base, Japan --  Misawa Air Base's Airmen welcomed their new command chief June 18. 

Chief Master Sgt. Russell Hastings left the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, where he was the F-15 Strike Eagle superintendant. Here he will be stepping into the role of command chief of the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base. As the command chief, he will bring a different perspective to the seat vacated following the retirement of Chief Master Sgt. Rick Price. 

Six weeks after returning from a tour in Afghanistan, Chief Hastings loaded his family and belongings up and headed for Misawa. Without a moment to spare, he was immersed in his new assignment. 

"I've hit the ground running and haven't stopped yet," said Chief Hastings a Houston native. "In between briefings, meetings and visiting with Japanese Self-Defense Force members, my family and I have been busy with this permanent change of station." 

With the pandemonium his new assignment brings, Chief Hastings is planning on enhancing his appreciation for his new surroundings. 

"I think Japan is a beautiful country," Chief Hastings said. "Japan is unlike anything I've been exposed to before; most of my overseas assignments have been in Europe and Alaska. I know that my family and I are going to enjoy the area and the graciousness of the Japanese people and their culture. The Japanese have a lot of qualities I admire. So, I hope to make myself better by knowing the people of Japan." 

As Misawa's senior enlisted service member, Chief Hastings is responsible for the health, welfare and morale of the enlisted force on the installation. He represents the enlisted community to the commander and advises him of important enlisted issues and concerns. Chief Hastings also provides the communications link between the installation commander and the Airmen, ensuring the commander's programs and policies are understood. 

In order to meet the requirements of his duty position, Chief Hastings will need to rely on his extensive experience as a first sergeant to make this assignment as a command chief successful. 

"I think that my experience as a first sergeant will benefit me well," said Chief Hastings. "Working with the different Air Force specialties found in the communications squadron, security forces, civil engineers, tactical air control party, space communications squadron, logistics readiness and fighter squadrons has helped me develop a pretty broad knowledge base of the different parts of the Air Force's mission. I've also gained experience working with the Army and the Navy. So, I hope to use my experience to do a good job for team Misawa. Plus, Chief Price gave me an awesome turn over, which really helped me in becoming successful at my new position." 

Coupled with his experience, Chief Hastings has two main priorities he will be focusing on-supporting Misawa's mission and quality of life issues of the service members. 

Being Misawa's new command chief is a position of great responsibility, said Chief Hastings. He will rely on the inputs of Misawa's service members,. 

"I am asking the Airmen of Misawa to approach me and let me know what's on their mind wherever I may be," said Chief Hastings. "Whether in the gym, Base Exchange or Commissary, come up and say, 'hi'."