Command chief bids Sheppard farewell Published May 13, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The command chief of the 82nd Training Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Sallinger, bids farewell to Sheppard members May 14 after almost two years serving this community. The chief said he has enjoyed the great opportunities during his tenure at Sheppard as he and his family move on to continue their Air Force journey at Langley, Air Force Base, Va. Chief Sallinger returns to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations as the wing chief and special agent for the AFOSI Region 2 (wing equivalent) where the wing's mission is to identify, exploit and neutralize terrorist, intelligence and criminal threats to the Air Force, Department of Defense and U.S. Government. More specifically, the chief's gaining wing supports Air Combat Command, Air Force Central Command and U.S. Central Command. While the chief said he is looking forward to returning to AFOSI, he feels privileged to have worked in his position at Sheppard AFB and values the remarkable chance to have been in this senior leader servant role. "I was very fortunate that the general selected me to serve the 82nd TRW, Team Sheppard and all of our geographically separated units," he said. "I'm looking forward to going back downrange to provide support for all of our Airmen out there, so they can help fight our wars." A poster with the wing's vision and mission statements -- "Delivering technically superior and highly motivated Warrior Airmen" -- is on prominent display in Chief Sallinger's office, where it depicts the wing's Airmen saluting proudly and preparing for their combat roles. He asked for the display to be developed because he believed it was important to never forget that each person that comes through here is someone's son, daughter, father or mother. "The most important thing that I will always remember is that each military member or civilian that comes through Sheppard, has raised their right hand to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America," he said. "The most important thing to me is our people and the cause that they're fighting for, for our country. That is why every single day when I come in my office, I look at that poster to constantly remind myself of what we are expecting from our Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. "It reminds me that we are going to put them in harm's way, period, and it is my responsibility to help them fulfill their goals for our nation's defense," he added. Chief Sallinger said his main goal for his next assignment is to share and incorporate the knowledge he gained serving in this command. "My goal with every assignment is to learn and to continue to be a student," he said. "I learn every day from the youngest to the oldest members of our force, and I take those crucial experiences and pass them on wherever I go. As Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd TRW commander, says, 'If you stop learning, then it is time to go home.' "I will never stop learning and making sure I am an Airman student first and foremost," the chief added. "Especially with the level of energy and enthusiasm that this community and wing, partnered up with the 80th Flying Training Wing has. That's what I'd like to accomplish at my next assignment." Chief Sallinger said being here has also made him appreciate Team Sheppard's global impact much more. "Prior to coming to Sheppard, I had a very healthy appreciation for the global reach and impact this community has with delivering superior excellence through technical training, combat preparedness, the Euro-NATO mission and the community's strategic level of involvement in our nation's prosperity and defense," Chief Sallinger said. "However, I didn't appreciate it nearly as much before having this opportunity. "There is a quantifiable and direct link between this community and what occurs in our defense at home and abroad. Everyone has a right to be proud of their successes for our country and our partner nations' collaborative impact," he said. Additionally, the chief said he has never seen a community so supportive and believes he and his family are taking more than they have provided back. "We are forever thankful and grateful," said the chief. "In my nearly 28 years of military service, I have never been stationed with a community like this where they have so sincerely supported the military as an integral piece of the defense structure for our nation." "I said it before and I will continue to reinforce how this wonderful community is strategically aligned for our nation. "When we suffer tragedy, the community is there to provide comfort," the chief added. When we work hard and long hours, they are there at our side. When we are down, they lift us up. This is why this community is the best." Chief Sallinger said his most fulfilling accomplishment was having the opportunity to help other Airmen achieve their own goals. "When people raise their hand and say they will support and defend the Constitution, they want to know they are here to make a difference," he said. "Watching our people perform at a high level, excelling through a tough inspection and then responding at even a higher level to help make that impact for all of our nations is what I've been most proud of as a member of this great team. "When General Mannon and I got here, we inherited a very good team," Chief Sallinger said. "We're so proud that we've been able to do our part and help build on the foundation. It's been very rewarding to watch how people have seen their impact grow and their ability to make a difference. And that's what we want." From an enlisted perspective, the chief said he would like for Sheppard's enlisted force to always remember their role as an important contribution to the Air Force and the country. "To me, the 'E' in enlisted stands for execute. And that's something to be proud of," the chief said. We should be enthused and proud of the accomplishment to support our commanders because they have a heavy responsibility, and our job is to be their steadfast wingmen." Chief Sallinger defines three key points every Airman should remember; the first is that families should never be neglected. "People should always take care of their families," he said. "Behind the scenes they are providing that foundation, and they are integral to our country's defense. They do it without fanfare, a lot of sacrifices and moves around the world." The chief's second key point was that people should focus on enhancing the foundation they have and place less emphasis on searching for a problem to solve. "We should never underestimate the impact and value each member has and the value to our team," he said. "We bring in our country's finest, and we sometimes look for problems to fix rather than the collective value that each of us brings in terms of our diversity and background. Our nation's strength is that very background and diversity, and we should recognize it, celebrate it and use that strength to execute our nation's vision." The final point the chief wants Airmen to remember is to always believe in themselves. "If we don't believe in ourselves, then we will lose faith with our purpose to serve and our Airmen will begin to lose faith, as well," the chief said. "If we continue to believe and use our hope as part of our strategic plan, then it will make for a better and stronger United States military and Air Force. "People wonder if I'm concerned about the generation of our force coming in today. No way. I am excited and enthused for our future! This is a demanding life yet it doesn't deter them from proudly serving. That's something to be excited about with our young Airmen, and I am honored to have been a part of it," he said.