GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Chief Master Sgt. Brian Jensenius has taken over as the 434th Air Refueling Wing’s command chief.
Jensenius joined the Air Force in 1996. He served at as maintainer for the communications navigations systems on the KC-10 on active duty for four years before going into the inactive reserve. A couple years later he joined the reserve unit at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and went back to being a KC-10 maintainer.
Jensenius assumed the role from Chief Master Sgt. Nathan Parks moved to the Pentagon. The new chief comes to the 434th ARW from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, where he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
“I heard about how great the Hoosier wing,” said Jensenius. “I talked to some folks that knew about what was going on here and it sounded like a great idea to come and be part of a great organization.”
Throughout his military career, he has served in various capacities ranging from executing flight line and back shop operations to supervisory positions. His other past assignments include bases in New Jersey and North Carolina as well as numerous deployed locations.
“My biggest priority is people. I want to make sure they’re getting the things that they need to further develop their career, in their AFSCs and for promotions and opportunities to broaden their horizons,” said Jensenius. “We’re a small little base here and all we have is each other and we need to take care of each other, look out for each other, and help each other. If we do that, nothing can stop us.”
Jensenius’ motivation to move up through the enlisted ranks came from a belief that the mission benefits from great supervisors.
“I want to be able to make a difference and I knew the best way to do that is to keep making rank and every time I get to a new rank and get more responsibility I would able to affect change a little bit more and really push out that message,” said Jensenius. “We have to take care of our people. If we take care of our people they’ll take care of the mission.”
Jensenius says he and his wife are looking forward to exploring the local area and making himself at home in Indiana.
The 434th ARW is the largest <a href="http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104524/kc-135-stratotanker.aspx">KC-135R Stratotanker</a> unit in the <a href="http://www.afrc.af.mil/">Air Force Reserve Command</a>. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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