114th Fighter Wing gets new Command Chief

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luke Olson
  • 114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. --  Chief Master Sgt. Michael J. Clauson assumed his new position at the 114th Fighter Wing as the units new Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. during an assumption ceremony here, Jan. 7.

Clauson was selected by Col. Nathan B. Alholinna, 114th FW commander, to replace Chief Master Sgt. Dean L. Hillberg, who held the position as the highest enlisted member of the organization for the past three years and retired at the end of 2016. The assumption of command ceremony was christened with the American Legion Post #15 Legionnaires singing the National Anthem.

As the command chief for the 114th FW, Chief Clauson is tasked with advising his superiors on quality-of-life issues and matters relating to the enlisted Airmen of the unit, among other duties.

Clauson entered the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, in July 1996 and began serving as a firefighter.  After serving for fourteen years as a firefighter he was selected as the Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant. He served as First Sergeant for three years where he enhanced his institutional competencies and military doctrine.

"I embraced the First Sergeant motto of "my job is people, everyone is my business" this reinforced my ability to serve my Airmen." said Clauson.

Clauson's most recent position before selection as the new Wing Command Chief was as the 114th Fighter Wing Human Resource Advisor.

"I am prepared to serve as our next Command Chief and I believe I have been preparing for this for the past twenty years. I am excited to serve in this capacity and truly look forward to all the great things our Airmen will do." stated Clauson.