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CREECH AFB Nev. – After a little more than 24 years of service, Chief Master Sergeant Richard Cromer, 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, retires during a ceremony here Nov. 6. He has been the wing’s command chief since May 2007 when the 432d was activated as the first Air Force wing solely dedicated to Remotely Piloted Aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alice Moore)
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432d Command Chief retires after 25 years of service
Posted 11/3/2009 Updated 11/6/2009
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by Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
432d Wing Public Affairs
11/3/2009 - CREECH AFB Nev. -- After a little more than 24 years of service, the 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing command chief will retire Nov. 6 in front of friends, family and fellow Hunters.
Chief Master Sergeant Richard Cromer has served as the wing's command chief since May 2007 when the 432d was activated as the first Air Force wing solely dedicated to Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
"Chief Cromer has had a distinguished career and is a true patriot," said Col. Pete Gersten, 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing Commander. "He has had tremendous influence on the way ahead of this wing. The Hunters are better today because of the chief's tireless efforts."
A native of Lynchburg, Va., Chief Cromer said deciding to join the Air Force wasn't difficult.
"I joined the Air Force because I didn't know what to do with my life," Chief Cromer said. "I had just graduated from high school and I wasn't going anywhere fast."
Chief Cromer said initially he had intentions of enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, but after strong encouragement from his mother, he decided joining the Air Force was a better choice. Little did he know his decision would lead him to earn the rank of chief master sergeant and position of command chief some day.
"After joining, I found so much trouble that I was concerned I wasn't going to get through my first enlistment, but 24 years later, here I am," Chief Cromer said. "Although I've never established long-term career goals, I believe if you do your best at everything you're charged with and have some great leaders helping you along the way, things will work out in the end."
Chief Cromer's career began in 1985 as a T-38 crew chief at Randolph AFB, Texas. The chief has a varied maintenance background on aircraft such as the F-15, F-22, A-10, F-16, and AC/MC-130s. His assignments include Bitburg Air Base Germany, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Kadena Air Base, Japan, Edwards AFB, Calif., Pope AFB, N.C., Osan Air Base, South Korea, and Hurlburt Field, Fla. Prior to becoming the command chief here, he served as an operations group superintendent, squadron superintendent, inspection section chief, as well as being a production superintendent.
Chief Cromer's assignment to Creech presented him a unique opportunity to qualify as a sensor operator with the MQ-1B Predators.
"In this position it's incredibly important to have insight in both the operations and maintenance side of the mission," Chief Cromer said.
The chief has served a little more than two years as the command chief of the wing and looking back he said he feels a sense of accomplishment because of the efforts of each and every Hunter Airman.
"The incredible feats the operators, maintainers, and supporters of this mission have accomplished are flat out remarkable," Chief Cromer said. "To demand so much from such a small group of Airmen and receive what amounts to be exponentially more is humbling."
As the chief prepares to begin the next chapter of his life, he encourages Hunters to remain committed to the mission and each other.
"Stay focused on the mission, and just as importantly, each other," Chief Cromer said. "Remember how significant what you are doing is to this fight because whether maintenance, operations, or support, your rewards will come from the satisfaction you get from taking care of warfighters on the ground. I know not everyone understands the daily sacrifices you all make, but rest assured, your leadership does."
Chief Cromer said the future of the Hunter legacy is limitless as the 432d has a unique mission.
"Our Air Force has matured over the years and developed so many paradigms, but the Hunters have embarked on something that is new and exciting," Chief Cromer said. "Our Airmen are shaping the future of our Air Force while successfully fighting a war 8,000 miles away. They're writing history every day."
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