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Cheeks assumes command of 434th FSS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind.- --  For centuries, assumption of command ceremonies have allowed members the opportunity to witness the symbolic passing of the torch in the presence of friends, family members and fellow Airmen.

Keeping up with military tradition Lt. Col. Barbara Cheeks assumed command of the 434th Force Support Squadron during a ceremony here March 5.

"I'm honored to be your new commander," said Cheeks. "The 434th [Air Refueling Wing] has a long and distinguished history of excellence, and I'm very proud to be part of it."

The Kansas native came to Grissom after serving as the Air National Guard Liaison to the Total Force Service Center at Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas.

"Lt. Col. Cheeks is an experienced personnelist who has been at various levels of command from the unit level all the way up to the National Guard Bureau," said Col. Scott Russell, 434th Mission Support Group commander, who presided over the ceremony. "In my conversations with her, she has shown to be very dedicated to getting the mission done while she takes care of her people; that's exactly what we needed for the 434th FSS at this time!"

Getting the mission done and taking care of her people was a priority that Cheeks emphasized throughout the ceremony.

"We have to ensure we are getting our training requirements completed, meeting physical fitness standards and maintaining our deployment readiness," said Cheeks. "At the same time we have to ensure our mission of providing personnel and services support for the wing is taken care of.

"The number of personnel in this career field has been reduced largely in part due to automated systems such as the Total Force Service Center," explained Cheeks. "I want to ensure that everyone in the wing has the best knowledge of those systems and that members can receive the same or improved support in the future."

Cheeks, who also has 15 years of prior enlisted service, said she has high expectations of her Airmen.

"I expect my Airmen to know their jobs, provide good customer service and treat each other with respect," she said. "I really like being hands on and I can relate to the enlisted force because I used to be enlisted."

Cheeks holds a Master's degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois and a Bachelor's of Science degree from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago.

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

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer