72nd ARS chief boom retires after 37 years

Published Dec. 13, 2017
By Douglas Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Jeff Henry has passed a lot of gas in his career, but after 37 years, he won’t be doing so in the back of a KC-135R Stratotanker any longer.

The 72nd Air Refueling Squadron’s chief boom is letting go of the stick after 37 years of military service.

Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Henry culminated his career Dec. 2 with a special retirement ceremony held in Kokomo, Indiana.

The chief started his career as an F-15 crew chief before coming to Grissom in 1984 and traded working on aircraft to flying in them.

“I’ve been stationed at Eglin and here – only two places,” he said with a laugh.

Those two places served as a launching point for a career that would take him all over the world.

“I’ve deployed and gone on temporary duty more times than I can remember,” he said. “I was lucky enough to always have the support of my wife Leisa.”

When Desert Shield deployments first began they were looking for volunteers and Leisa didn’t initially want him to go.

“She could tell that I really wanted to go, so she made some phone calls for me, and I deployed,” he said.

That was the first, but not the last time he would leave home in support of the Air Force mission with her unending support.

“I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve deployed, gone TDY, or even the hours I’ve flown,” Henry said. “It’s been a whirlwind, and it is amazing how fast time has gone by.”

When discussing his career the chief laughed and said people always say it’s the people that make things so good.

“But they are right,” he said of their observation. “It is the people that make the job enjoyable. Some of my best memories are lousy TDYs that were with great people that made it all good. There is something about the camaraderie of being in it together that makes even the bad times enjoyable.”

As he reflected on his career, he said those memories with fellow aviators in the 72nd ARS stood out significantly.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with great people, and they helped me so much during my career,” he added.

Henry served as the squadron’s top boom for 10 years. He managed all the inflight refueling specialists in the 72nd ARS and made a lasting impression on many.

“Chief Henry was an outstanding leader,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Navarre, 72nd ARS boom operator. “When it came down to protecting his people he did it better than anyone. That would be the most influential lesson I took from him.”

Under his leadership, the 72d Boom Shop won the 2016 Outstanding Air Refueling Section of the Year award.

“His work ethics, values and leadership style is among the very best I have ever witnessed,” said Lt. Col. Anne Noel, 72nd ARS commander. “He has left the boom shop in a great place and the experience that he has passed on to the younger booms will help form our future leaders.”

“Chief Henry had a unique bond with the people,” Noel said. “He truly cared about the individuals and was continuously at work trying to improve the lives of those around him.”

Navarre noted that the Chief was great at keeping business lines separate.

“He would come eat in the boom shop, and if it wasn’t regarding work it was fair game,” Navarre said of the discussions. “It was good for everyone to have that open line of communication with him.”

As for what is next, the Chief said he didn’t have any solid plans.

“My wife and I may just drive around the eastern part of the country, and may fly around the western part of it,” he added.

It just won’t be in the boom pod, and someone else will be doing the refueling.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.

News Search

Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Henry

72nd ARS chief boom retires after 37 years

Public Affairs Staff