52nd FW welcomes new command chief Published June 9, 2008 By Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Toner 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHELM AIR BASE, Germany -- Chief Master Sgt. Bruce A. Kenney took over as the 52nd Fighter Wing command chief from Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke May 31, 2008. While the handover was literally an unceremonious "high-five" in the airport, the new command chief said he's "excited" about being here and continuing the work that Chief Clarke started for the Airmen here. Chief Kenney comes to the wing with experience as he was previously the command chief at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in 2006. For this position, "the call" to be interviewed came into his deployed location in Kuwait while doing an "in lieu of" tasking for the Army. One trip back to the U.S., and in less than a month, he was headed back over the Atlantic to take the position here. Chief Kenney's previous assignment was as the commandant of the 1st Sergeant's Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Gunter Annex. Chief Clarke moved on to Headquarters, Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. While Chief Kenney comes to Spangdahlem with command chief experience, he's also coming to the 52nd Fighter Wing with lots of people skills from spending much of his career as a first sergeant. He said he couldn't do his current job or the job as a first sergeant while sitting behind a desk and that his years as a first sergeant "shaped how I think now. I got to see all the great (Airmen in their) work centers, all over the base." Additionally, he says the commanders and enlisted leaders he worked with made him who he is today. His priorities? Not on "parking places and duty titles," he said. "I work for everyone. This office is not my office: it's their office," he said of the wing and its Airmen. "Knowing that, I need to come to work at 110 percent, every day." Chief Kenney and his family spent much of his career overseas. "It's a closer-knit community and it's more fast-paced," he said. While the chief enjoyed his time training first sergeants, he is excited about being out in an operational wing again. "There, I dealt with mostly senior NCOs and officers," he said. While the chief said the Air Force expects everyone to step out and do these assignments, he said he's looking forward to working with young Airmen again. "They are our most precious resource and are the lifeblood of the Air Force." While being a command chief both here and at Eielson have similarities - both wings fly the A-10 and F-16 - he said there are different challenges. "One similarity is both are more rural bases, which challenges us to look for creative ways to help our Airmen and their families enjoy Germany and Europe both safely and to the fullest" said Chief Kenney. Another challenge he sees is the stand up of the Force Support Squadron, as well as the upcoming operations and maintenance reorganization. "Both will require lots of teamwork, innovation and adherence to the standards from all Sabers," said Chief Kenney. From what he has seen in his first week, the chief believes the wing and base are up to the challenge. The chief said another priority is for Sabers to be good neighbors with our German hosts. Sabers must always remember that they are American ambassadors every time they step out the gate into our local communities, according to the chief. "What Sabers do and how they act and treat our German partners will be remembered for years to come," said Chief Kenney. "Regardless where anyone works on base, Airmen everywhere should consider what they would tell the command chief, if he were to stop by," he said. His goal is to visit Airmen on all shifts and at all the geographically separated units with the commander as often as possible. In the end, "I work for everyone," he said. With the focus on Airmen and not on himself, the chief said, "I can also tell you that I am not a self-licking ice cream cone, my position exists to serve our Airmen and their families."