New command chief lays it out for the wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  (Editor's note: Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Westerlund was appointed to the position of 302nd Airlift Wing command chief Feb. 7 by Col. Jay Pittman)

There's no doubt he can be a little intimidating at first. Standing at six-foot, three-inches, together with his eight stripes and star, seeming to dominate the room, Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Westerlund is definitely a man you, at the least, respect and, at the most, fear. 

But the minute he opens his mouth and speaks to you, the tension seems to melt away and ease into history, because one gets the sense that 'here's a man who's ready to help me.' 

The Front Range Flyer staff recently sat down with Chief Westerlund, who now fills the important role of the wing's command chief. As the senior enlisted Airman within the 302nd AW, the Front Range Flyer wanted to get a better idea of where the wing's enlisted force was heading under his tenure: 

FRONT RANGE FLYER: What does being the command chief mean to you?
CHIEF WESTERLUND: It's the attainment of an 18-year goal. Back in 1991, I saw our senior enlisted advisor doing some things and I looked to that individual and said 'some day, that's what I hope to do.' It also gives me the opportunity to serve the men and women of the wing in a whole new way other than being in the position of a first sergeant. 

FRF: Your service didn't start in the Air Force, did it?
CW: I started out in the Marine Corp in 1975 right out of high school. I finished up as a jet engine mechanic on Huey and Cobra helicopters in 1981, then I joined the Air Force Reserve in November 1983. From a very early age, when I was 17 and entering the Marine Corp, I learned there was no question about right and wrong. Integrity was instilled very deeply. Now, my folks did that. But the Marine Corp solidified it. In a way, it took a lot of gray area out of my vision. Believe it or not, going to the first sergeant's academy in the AF Reserve helped broaden my vision, my view of life. Because I now realize there can be gray in areas like family and your employer. In the Marine Corp, you're either alive or dead or you're a friend or a foe; there's a clear distinction. It took a long time to get rid of that. The first sergeant's academy did that. Different circumstances can have a different outcome on a situation.
 
FRF: With your leadership style, how do you think your time in Marine Corp has influenced your leadership style today?
CW: From a very early age, when I was 17 and entering the Marine Corp, I learned there was no question about right and wrong. Integrity was instilled very deeply. Now, my folks did that. But he Marine Corp solidified it. In a way, it took a lot of gray area out of my vision. Believe it or not, going to the first sergeant's academy in the Air Force Reserve help broaden my vision, my view of life. Because I now realize there can be gray in areas like family and your employer. In situations there can be some gray area. In the Marine Corp, you're either alive or dead or you're either a friend or a foe; there's a clear distinction. It took a long time to get rid of that. The first sergeant's academy did that. Different circumstances can have a different outcome on a situation. 

FRF: So, how would you describe your leadership style?
CW: This is a good question because I've never thought of it. I guess I try to find the gifts and abilities in the folks around me. I try to get it so they're empowered to use their gifts and talents to accomplish our mission here in the wing. We have been very fortunate here that our talent pool is very deep. We've got crew chiefs who can fix an airplane, but they can also fix a car. There are guys in (civil engineering) who have the talent to build things out of wood, out of metal and piping and electrical; we take those talents and use them like a family would and use them to not only accomplish our mission, but to help each other in our day-to-day life. I like to see people empowered to do things. We trained them; the Air Force has spent a lot of money training them and all we need to do is empower them to do their job. We have seen over and over again that that's very well done in the 302nd. 

FRF: Where do you see our wing 12 months from now?
CW: About a year from now we should be very involved in our active associate program. I'm looking forward to that, but I know some people aren't. I think having Active Duty folks working with us day-to-day is just blending their talent with ours, making us all that stronger as a wing. They're going to learn a lot from us, but I really feel we'll be able to learn a lot from them. I think right now that any tension our members may feel is the fear of the unknown. I was involved with the Reserve associate at McChord (Air Force Base, Wash.) and it worked well there. The fear is wearing the uniform and not making the same pay and what not; that's generations old. It can cause tension, but we'll get over that and get beyond it. It won't take long. 

FRF: If there was one thing you wanted Airmen to take away from their times in the Reserves, what would it be?
CW: Just like myself, I hope every person in this wing gets the opportunity to see the world. I think leaving our borders and seeing how other people live on a day-to-day basis is a very power thing. It reminds us of how fortunate we are and how good we've got it, not only as a nation, but as individuals. Sometimes we think we've got it so good, but you go overseas to Africa or other areas and you can see the filth and living conditions and it doesn't take very long to be thankful to get back on that aircraft and leave. It's a sobering experience. But take advantage of that travel we give and volunteer to get out and do different taskings. Boy, my whole life I've loved nothing more than to go and travel throughout the Air Force and the Marine Corp and I've been able to see just about the entire world. 

FRF: Now that we've come to the end, is there anything else you'd like to add?
CW: I think we need to be reminded of our core values and to maintain them. Not only for our wing, but for ourselves as people. Those core values are true whether you're in the military or not. You need to maintain your integrity, you need to serve others and you need to do everything you can to do things to the best of your ability. I think those are powerful statements for any person to say.

Personal questions
Wife: Gwen, married 29 years 

Children: Two sons, 23 and 25 as well as four grandchildren. Oldest: Joshua, Youngest: Micah 

Hometown: Seattle, Wash. I was raised there, went to high school there and went on with life 

Current book on nightstand: "The Right Thing" ... it's a book by Commander Scott Waddle, the story behind the Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine Greenville outside of Pearl Harbor when they did a emergency blow and hit a Japanese fishing boat, killing some Japanese students. It's the story of the commander stepping up and admitting he blew it. It's not that he was a poor commander, but he didn't take some of the actions needed. 

Favorite sports: I don't really have one, but we support the kids up at the Air Force Academy. We buy season tickets every year to many of the sports and we try to get to all the games 

Favorite music: Country. I like guys like Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. I like the group Sugarland and Alice and Crouse. She's got that bluegrass, twainy sound 

Pet Peeve: Number one pet peeve comes from being a first sergeant... I hate it when people lie to you when you are trying to help them,. You are sitting there going out of your way to find out they lied to you. It's personally devastating. 

Personal secret: I guess it would be that at one time, I was too passive in my career goals. When I think about it, it has to do with hearing about people being passed up for promotion. It's some of those people not taking the time to understand why they were passed up for promotion. You have to look at what you need to do and set out after your goal. Basically, the pet peeve is hearing people that have been passed up but they aren't doing anything to get to that end goal. I was one of those people who would just love to be fat, dumb and happy out on a flightline turning wrenches on an aircraft. But eventually, I would look around and ask myself where my career has gone and why I would be passed over. You've got to proactive with your career. 

You can read more of our interview with Chief Westerlund by reading the Spring 2009 edition of the Front Range Flyer. Don't have the Flyer? You can see it online by visiting the 302nd AW's public Web site at www.302aw.afrc.af.mil.