ANG Command Chief visits 114th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luke Olson
  • 114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --  Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard , relayed current key ANG aim points to the 114th Fighter Wing during his visit to Joe Foss Field here, Nov. 6-7.

Hotaling, the 11th Command Chief Master Sergeant of the ANG, used his time with the Airmen from the 114th FW conducting town hall style meetings to get a pulse on specific issues within the unit. He also accepted a Chief's Challenge from the unit's munitions weapons loaders by completing a coned obstacle course driving the MJ-1 Jammer against one of their young Airman.

"One of my job duties is to monitor the health and welfare of the enlisted force of the (ANG)," said Hotaling. "Each organization is unique and we can't make a proper analysis from Washington, the only way to validate the policies that we put in place is to come out to the field and see how it affects Airmen in reality."

Airmen were encouraged to ask their top enlisted leader questions during the town hall meetings. Hotaling also used those meetings to focus on the Command Chief's aim points to include: renewing our commitment to the profession of arms, exercising the four pillars of resilience (mental, physical, social, spiritual) to foster a healthier force, and recognizing and embracing the accomplishments of Airmen.

Hotaling emphasized to the attendees of the town hall meetings that the first thing we have to do as Airmen is recommit ourselves to the profession of arms. He stressed that Airmen must adapt as professionals to a constantly changing environment because our profession of arms is above any human being, it is to serve our nation.

"It is critical for every guard member to remember and understand that the Oath of Service we all took when we enlisted is sacred," said Hotaling. "The American public sleeps soundly at night knowing that less than one percent of its citizens raised their right hand in defense of our country both home and abroad."

To finish his visit, Hotaling attended the units Yellow Ribbon reintegration event and spoke with approximately 250 Airmen who recently returned from a four month Theater Security Package deployment to Kunsan AB, South Korea.

The ANG's senior enlisted advisor had a packed schedule and Airmen from every facet of the 114th FW were given the chance to interact with him during his visit. He separately met with 114th FW Commander Col. Russ Walz, 114th First Sergeants, 114th Chief Master Sergeants, 114th Services leadership, 114th Chaplains, Director of Psychological Health, Director of Family Readiness, and any Airmen that wished to attend his All-Call meetings. 

"It was an honor and privilege for the 114th Fighter Wing airmen to host Chief Jim Hotaling," said Chief Master Sgt. Dean Hillberg, command chief master sergeant of the 114th FW. "His presentations were engaging and thought provoking for unit airmen.  We're especially appreciative of the expanded professional development opportunities Chief Hotaling has made possible for the enlisted force."