Members of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) welcomed the organization’s new Command Chief during a change of authority ceremony August 16.

Lt. Gen. Scott Williams, CONR-1AF (AFNORTH) Commander, presided over the ceremony as Chief Master Sgt. Richard King accepted authority from interim Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Tiffiney Kellum at the Horizons Community Center.  King entered the Air Force in 1982 and served as a Security Forces Specialist for 22 years. He’s served in various leadership assignments including his previous assignment as the Command Chief for the New York Air National Guard as well as the Chair, Enlisted Field Advisor Council for the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air National Guard.

“Any chance I have to lead Airmen, I want to do it!” King said. “I feel I owe it to the servicemen and women who sacrificed everything to give 100 percent. I’m ready to sprint for the next two years.”

As the command chief, his responsibilities include advising the CONR-1 AF (AFNORTH) commander on matters regarding the health, morale and welfare of assigned enlisted personnel and their families. First Air Force is one of three numbered-air forces assigned to Air Combat Command and is the responsible for ensuring the air sovereignty and air defense of the continental United States (CONUS). As the CONUS geographical component of NORAD, it provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs all air sovereignty activities for the continental United States.

Kellum will return to her position as the senior enlisted manager at the 601 AOC, Tyndall, AFB.