Joes Foss Field, S.D. -- Chief Master Sgt. Zona Hornstra assumed the duties and responsibilities as the Command Chief of the 114th Fighter Wing from retired Chief Master Sgt. Michael Clauson at a ceremony held here, Aug. 5, 2017.
Col. Nate Alholinna, 114th FW commander, officiated the ceremony and passed the unit flag from Clausen to Hornstra marking the official change of responsibility.
“I’m super excited and very humbled to be chosen to support the commander in his vision and to support all of our Airmen within the wing,” said Hornstra. “I’m definitely ready for this challenge and to do my best for the Airmen of the Wing.”
Hornstra has served since 1997, working in the 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Medical Group, and SDANG Headquarters before accepting her new position as the highest ranking enlisted member of the wing.
“She has been in the Air Guard for a while, so she knows the system, she knows the mission, she knows what the Airmen need,” said Clauson, who now serves as the Battalion Chief of Training for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. “She will do extremely well and it’s time to turn it over to Chief Hornstra.”
Chief Hornstra will now serve as the principal advisor to Col. Alholinna and his staff on matters of health, morale and welfare, professional development, diversity, inclusion, mentoring and force development of more than 1,000 Air National Guard members.
“She understands how to take care of Airmen, how to communicate, how to be the Airmen’s voice, and to me that is the most important thing that she brings to the table,” said Alholinna.