35th FW command chief retires

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  In a ceremony Jan. 30, the 35th Fighter Wing command chief said goodbye to Misawa and the Air Force.

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Missel is retiring after 30 years of service. He has served as the 35th FW command chief since February 2005.

Chief Missel grew up in Webster, N.Y., and enlisted in the Air Force in May of 1978. His background includes a myriad of leadership positions in multiple AFSC's, including nearly nine years as a first sergeant.

Col. T.J. O'Shaughnessy, 35th FW commander, presided over the retirement ceremony.

"It's a little bittersweet," he said. "We are here to celebrate his many accomplishments, but we are saddened by the knowledge that the chief is departing Misawa."

As Colonel O'Shaughnessy spoke about Chief Missels' career as an Airman Basic in 1978 to now, he pointed out common denominators in every position Chief Missel held.

"He was the same as an Airman as he was as a chief master sergeant," Colonel O'Shaughnessy said to the Chief. "From an airman basic to a chief, you've always done your job with absolute professionalism and with a enthusiastic attitude that's catching. You taught us all to be Airmen, and I do mean Airmen with a capital A."

During the ceremony, Chief Missel was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster, for his service here from Feb. 26, 2005 to 28 Jan. 2008. He was then presented with his certificate of retirement and a personal letter from the President of the United States. On behalf of the 35th FW and the Chief's Group, he was presented the traditional military shadow box.

"On behalf of thousands of Airmen now scattered across the globe, I thank you for your service, your dedication and the example you have been and will continue to be for us Airmen," Colonel O'Shaughnessy told him. "I want to say thank you for taking care of our wing's greatest assets - which we both know to be our people and their families."

The retirement ceremony also featured a symbolic flag folding, with the folded flag passed from Airmen representing every rank Chief Missel held. The flag was a gift from the men and women of the 35th FW and was flown in a combat sortie over Iraq.

Finally, it was time for Chief Missel to take the floor. But before he got on with his speech, he coined one last Airman. Airman 1st Class Megan Frye, 35th Maintenance Squadron was coined for his part of the ceremony singing the Japanese and American National Anthems.

"I really owe everything to the Air Force, not the other way around," Chief Missel began. "I've been given opportunities I never would have had anywhere else."

The chief shared a few things he has learned along the way in his 30-year journey, and particularly during his time as command chief.

"Having been in this job I've come to realize how important every single AFSC is and every single individual in that AFSC is," he said. "There is no one specialty that makes the Air Force work, it takes a whole team of people doing their job to the best of their ability."

He continued his speech, talking about what he's learned from numerous conferences with senior leaders.

"I've been able to discern the mindset of our senior leaders and I want to assure you that they truly, truly care about people," he continued. "I can assure you that what they are thinking is that we have a mission to accomplish and we have to take care of the people who do that mission. If you are not sure what your leadership is thinking, I want to assure you that you are in good hands. Our leadership is there to take care of us."

Chief Missel said that he couldn't think of any better way to close the ceremony than with a song. He chose to end with "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

"It's always been a favorite song of mine, and that's how I'd like to close," he said.

Although the ceremony was held today, Chief Missel will be retired effective June 1. He plans to retire to Wyoming with his wife Beth and youngest daughter Emily.