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AFNORTH command chief passes coin of responsibility to new chief

  • Published
  • By Angela Pope
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Just one week after Air Forces Northern changed command, it said goodbye to its top enlisted leader.

AFNORTH held a change of authority ceremony Sept. 8, during which Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Thornell passed his command chief coin and responsibility of the organization's enlisted force to Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Brush, who will serve as the interim command chief until a permanent one is selected.

When Thornell took over as command chief in December 2009, he came in with three distinct goals for his enlisted force.

"My first goal was to increase the awareness of our Title 10 Airmen on the affects of career planning since the Air National Guard had changed its enlisted force management and force development processes," he said. "My second goal, of course, was to accomplish the intent (former commander) Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean had for the enlisted force across the Component Numbered Air Force. Finally, I wanted to focus on what I call 'Airman 101' items which are compliance items such as fitness, enlisted performance reports, finances - things every Airman must do to be deployment and mission ready at all times."

Along the way, as Thornell drove to push those goals, he said he ran into several significant hurdles. Despite those challenges, which are inherent with a command chief billet, Thornell said he learned many things.

"I've learned that the relationship piece is critical at this level, and I used the relationships I built here to provide real opportunities for our Airmen that we don't always have visibility on," Thornell said.

Some of the relationships Thornell focused on building were those with U.S. Northern Command, the National Guard Bureau and Air Combat Command. He leveraged those relationships to send AFNORTH's newest chiefs to ACC's chief training course and other Airmen to various Canadian professional military education schools. Thornell was also able to help push AFNORTH's senior NCOs into PME and achieve a 100 percent in-residence selection rate for 2012.

"I also learned that the great majority of our Airmen come to work wanting to do great things for America. Everything I've done and seen here has helped me become much more Airman-focused."

To the Airmen he's leaving behind, Thornell has several pieces of advice to help them as they move forward in their careers.

"Don't forget you are in the United States Air Force. There are privileges and responsibilities that come with being in the Air Force, and you need to understand those and be ready to embrace them," he said. "Also, find ways to help you grow in responsibility and accountability. You have to step outside and get on the ice. Just know the ice doesn't always crack when you walk on it. Stay on top of your professional development. And don't forget your 'Airman 101' items. Always be ready to perform and to be exercised and tested."

Thornell is transferring to Fresno, Calif., where he will serve as the command chief of the 144th Fighter Wing.