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188th's Mitchell promoted to chief

  • Published
  • By Maj. Heath Allen
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The 188th Fighter Wing added another chief to its tribe during a promotion ceremony March 2 at the unit's Hugh B. Correll Headquarters Auditorium.

Chief Master Sgt. Kerry Mitchell was elevated to the rank of E-9 in front of a packed house during March Unit's Training Assembly. Mitchell was promoted to chief under the Exceptional Promotion Program. He officially assumed the rank March 1.

Col. Pete Gauger, 188th Fighter Wing vice commander; Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander; and new 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley presided over the ceremony, which was hosted by the wing's Chiefs' Council.

Bradley delivered a speech on the history of the rank of chief master sergeant while Anderson talked about Mitchell's attributes and qualities that made him a strong selection for E-9. Gauger and Anderson then tacked on Mitchell's chief master sergeant chevrons during the ceremony and made Mitchell the 188th's newest chief.

"I never thought as an Airman coming in the unit that I would ever wear chief stripes," Mitchell said in a speech following his promotion. "I just remember being a young Airman and thinking how many stripes those chiefs had when I would see them walking around on base. I've experienced a lot in my career and I take this responsibility very seriously and I will do everything I can to ensure this unit continues to do great things. There's a lot of great people in the 188th and I look forward to finishing my career here on a strong note."

Mitchell's credentials include an eight-year term as the 188th Maintenance Squadron's first sergeant. The unit's maintenance squadron is the largest squadron in the state, boasting more than 250 Airmen.

Mitchell, a native of Atkins, Ark., who now calls Fayetteville, Ark., home, also spent 10 years as the supervisor for the 188th Maintenance Squadron's Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) team from 1984-2003. Mitchell was a member of the squadron when it logged the best mission-capable and fully mission-capable rates among all F-16 Air National Guard wings.

Mitchell has deployed to Israel, Canada (Maple Flag); home station (Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch); and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., twice (Red Flag/Green Flag) during his 28-year career. He also helped the 188th stand up an alert detachment ahead of schedule to support Operation Noble Eagle.

Once a scholarship athlete on John McDonnell's Arkansas Razorback track and field team, Mitchell has also set the physical fitness standard for young Airmen, registering a 99.4 percent on his last Air Force Physical Training test.

"Chiefs lead by example and Chief Mitchell is no different," Anderson said. "Kerry has had a long, impressive career and I look forward to his counsel. Less than 1 percent of the enlisted Airmen reach the rank of chief master sergeant. Chief Mitchell is an outstanding model for leadership and is most certainly deserving of this promotion."

188th's Mitchell promoted to chief

  • Published
  • By Maj. Heath Allen
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The 188th Fighter Wing added another chief to its tribe during a promotion ceremony March 2 at the unit's Hugh B. Correll Headquarters Auditorium.

Chief Master Sgt. Kerry Mitchell was elevated to the rank of E-9 in front of a packed house during March Unit's Training Assembly. Mitchell was promoted to chief under the Exceptional Promotion Program. He officially assumed the rank March 1.

Col. Pete Gauger, 188th Fighter Wing vice commander; Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander; and new 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley presided over the ceremony, which was hosted by the wing's Chiefs' Council.

Bradley delivered a speech on the history of the rank of chief master sergeant while Anderson talked about Mitchell's attributes and qualities that made him a strong selection for E-9. Gauger and Anderson then tacked on Mitchell's chief master sergeant chevrons during the ceremony and made Mitchell the 188th's newest chief.

"I never thought as an Airman coming in the unit that I would ever wear chief stripes," Mitchell said in a speech following his promotion. "I just remember being a young Airman and thinking how many stripes those chiefs had when I would see them walking around on base. I've experienced a lot in my career and I take this responsibility very seriously and I will do everything I can to ensure this unit continues to do great things. There's a lot of great people in the 188th and I look forward to finishing my career here on a strong note."

Mitchell's credentials include an eight-year term as the 188th Maintenance Squadron's first sergeant. The unit's maintenance squadron is the largest squadron in the state, boasting more than 250 Airmen.

Mitchell, a native of Atkins, Ark., who now calls Fayetteville, Ark., home, also spent 10 years as the supervisor for the 188th Maintenance Squadron's Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) team from 1984-2003. Mitchell was a member of the squadron when it logged the best mission-capable and fully mission-capable rates among all F-16 Air National Guard wings.

Mitchell has deployed to Israel, Canada (Maple Flag); home station (Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch); and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., twice (Red Flag/Green Flag) during his 28-year career. He also helped the 188th stand up an alert detachment ahead of schedule to support Operation Noble Eagle.

Once a scholarship athlete on John McDonnell's Arkansas Razorback track and field team, Mitchell has also set the physical fitness standard for young Airmen, registering a 99.4 percent on his last Air Force Physical Training test.

"Chiefs lead by example and Chief Mitchell is no different," Anderson said. "Kerry has had a long, impressive career and I look forward to his counsel. Less than 1 percent of the enlisted Airmen reach the rank of chief master sergeant. Chief Mitchell is an outstanding model for leadership and is most certainly deserving of this promotion."