Bowden named interim command chief

Published Nov. 6, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- It's been said that when opportunity comes knocking, be ready.

And, being ready to serve is exactly what landed Chief Master Sgt. Michael L. Bowden Jr. in the position of the 434th Air Refueling Wing's interim command chief master sergeant.

Bowden, who previously served as a civil engineer manager for the 434th Civil Engineer Squadron, was selected by Col. Don Buckley, 434th ARW commander, to serve as command chief while Chief Master Sgt. Karen Perkins is deployed to Southwest Asia.

"I have complete confidence in him that he's going to do a great job," said Perkins, "The wing commander went through a thorough interview and selection process to pick him."

"I appreciate this opportunity Colonel Buckley has afforded me, and it's going to be a new challenge for me, but I'm excited for the challenge," Bowden said. "The command chief's job is both busy and chaotic because it has some sort of input or oversight on every program on base that impacts the morale and welfare of our troops."

But, the 27-year Air Force veteran, who has deployed numerous times both in and outside the wire, said he has the experience necessary to accomplish the mission and is ready to put in the work to excel.

"Having been the chief in CE for as long as I have and gone on as many deployments as I have, I've been exposed to many situations that tested and expanded my leadership in a lot of different areas," Bowden explained. "So, I look forward to serving the men and women of this wing and working with the wing commander on morale and welfare issues."

In his new role as command chief, Bowden said his goals are to help 434th ARW Airmen accomplish the mission and bolster morale and welfare.

"I expect them to work issues through their chain of command as they normally would, but I'm always available to anyone who needs my help or advice," he elaborated. "I'll be out and about and accessible to our Airmen."

When asked about how he got to the point where he was asked to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to one of the Air Force's premier aerial refueling wings, the chief said it came from having a desire to serve and the boldness to take every opportunity given to him.

"You need to take every opportunity that is given to you to step up and become the leader you want to be and continually work at it," Bowden elaborated. "Leadership doesn't happen overnight; it's something you build up over your career through experiences and relationships.

"We have top leadership in our Air Force constantly working on their leadership skills even at the pinnacle of their careers," he continued.

With this opportunity before him, Bowden said he is once again ready to grow and learn as a leader.

"I'm looking forward to gaining the experience and having the opportunity to meet with more of our Airmen that I didn't' know before or that didn't know me," the chief said. "That's really exciting part of it -- getting to know and interact with more of the hard-working folks that make this wing so awesome."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft routinely deploy from the 434th ARW in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Bowden named interim command chief

Bowden named interim command chief

Public Affairs Staff