An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Bradley named new 188th command chief master sergeant

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Chief Master Sergeant Stephen R. Bradley was officially announced as the 188th Fighter Wing's new command chief master sergeant Nov. 3 during a unit training assembly. Chief Bradley takes the reigns from Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter, who has served as the 188th's command chief for the past six years. Carter was named the Arkansas Air National Guard's state command chief in November.

"One of the things I'm passionate about mentorship," Chief Bradley said. "I'm where I am today because other people have taken an interest in me, mentored me and helped me develop. I want to make sure that our Airmen have opportunities for advancement and training."

Chief Bradley joined the Air Force in 1982 as a dental technician. After serving four years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve and was stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base. In 1994, he joined the 188th Fighter Wing as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 188th Medical Group's dental office. He was selected as the 188th Med Group's first sergeant in 2003, and later served as the wing's human resources advisor (HRA). Most recently, Chief Bradley served as the State HRA for the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Chief Bradley said his time as a first sergeant exposed him to the command chief position. He said working alongside the command chief to take care of enlisted Airmen was a great opportunity to broaden the impact of his service.

Chief Bradley said helping solve problems for Airmen and their families and ensuring that they're taken care of is precisely what drew him to the job.

"I want to be sure that every Airman on this base has the training and opportunity to advance as far as they desire," he said. "I know everybody's not going to make chief, but everybody should have the opportunity to try if that's their desire."

Chief Bradley said he has lofty goals for his tenure as command chief. He said that it will be challenging because Chief Carter set the bar so high already.

"When you take on a new position, sometimes if you come behind somebody that maybe didn't do a great job, you make a few slight improvements and come out looking good," Chief Bradley said. "But I'm following Chief Carter. He has set the standard very high, and it's my intention that we're not going to lower it in any area. We're going to continue to do the same things Chief Carter started."

Chief Bradley said one of the more positive changes Chief Carter implemented is a mock interview board for promotions.

"We've seen a very positive impact for our people with that," Chief Bradley said.

Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, had lofty praise for Chief Bradley and the progress Chief Carter made during his time at the 188th.

"Chief master sergeants typically have at least 20 and sometimes 30 years of experience and a different perspective than the officers do," Col. Anderson said. "It's imperative that we bring that insight into planning for the future of this wing. Chief Bradley has a broad range of experience and I know I'm really going to enjoy working with him. Chief Carter accomplished a great deal here and I know Chief Bradley will continue that tradition of excellence."

Chief Carter also spoke highly of Chief Bradley's experience.

"Chief Bradley has 30 years of service and you would not be utilizing your resources very well if you ignored that experience," Chief Carter said. "But we're here to help, and together we're going to be a great team."

Chief Bradley expressed excitement at the new opportunity to represent the 188th's enlisted force.

"It's a new challenge for me, and a new day in my life," Chief Bradley said. "I can guarantee you that I'm going to give you my best effort in everything I do. And my door will always be open. But don't expect to find me in there too often. I like to be out speaking with members of our wing and listening to the concerns of our Airmen and NCOs."


Bradley named new 188th command chief master sergeant

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Chief Master Sergeant Stephen R. Bradley was officially announced as the 188th Fighter Wing's new command chief master sergeant Nov. 3 during a unit training assembly. Chief Bradley takes the reigns from Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter, who has served as the 188th's command chief for the past six years. Carter was named the Arkansas Air National Guard's state command chief in November.

"One of the things I'm passionate about mentorship," Chief Bradley said. "I'm where I am today because other people have taken an interest in me, mentored me and helped me develop. I want to make sure that our Airmen have opportunities for advancement and training."

Chief Bradley joined the Air Force in 1982 as a dental technician. After serving four years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve and was stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base. In 1994, he joined the 188th Fighter Wing as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 188th Medical Group's dental office. He was selected as the 188th Med Group's first sergeant in 2003, and later served as the wing's human resources advisor (HRA). Most recently, Chief Bradley served as the State HRA for the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Chief Bradley said his time as a first sergeant exposed him to the command chief position. He said working alongside the command chief to take care of enlisted Airmen was a great opportunity to broaden the impact of his service.

Chief Bradley said helping solve problems for Airmen and their families and ensuring that they're taken care of is precisely what drew him to the job.

"I want to be sure that every Airman on this base has the training and opportunity to advance as far as they desire," he said. "I know everybody's not going to make chief, but everybody should have the opportunity to try if that's their desire."

Chief Bradley said he has lofty goals for his tenure as command chief. He said that it will be challenging because Chief Carter set the bar so high already.

"When you take on a new position, sometimes if you come behind somebody that maybe didn't do a great job, you make a few slight improvements and come out looking good," Chief Bradley said. "But I'm following Chief Carter. He has set the standard very high, and it's my intention that we're not going to lower it in any area. We're going to continue to do the same things Chief Carter started."

Chief Bradley said one of the more positive changes Chief Carter implemented is a mock interview board for promotions.

"We've seen a very positive impact for our people with that," Chief Bradley said.

Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, had lofty praise for Chief Bradley and the progress Chief Carter made during his time at the 188th.

"Chief master sergeants typically have at least 20 and sometimes 30 years of experience and a different perspective than the officers do," Col. Anderson said. "It's imperative that we bring that insight into planning for the future of this wing. Chief Bradley has a broad range of experience and I know I'm really going to enjoy working with him. Chief Carter accomplished a great deal here and I know Chief Bradley will continue that tradition of excellence."

Chief Carter also spoke highly of Chief Bradley's experience.

"Chief Bradley has 30 years of service and you would not be utilizing your resources very well if you ignored that experience," Chief Carter said. "But we're here to help, and together we're going to be a great team."

Chief Bradley expressed excitement at the new opportunity to represent the 188th's enlisted force.

"It's a new challenge for me, and a new day in my life," Chief Bradley said. "I can guarantee you that I'm going to give you my best effort in everything I do. And my door will always be open. But don't expect to find me in there too often. I like to be out speaking with members of our wing and listening to the concerns of our Airmen and NCOs."