New Chief: same pace

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE -- La. --  The group superintendent of the Air and Space Operations Center at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, for the past year took the position of command chief here at Barksdale's 2d Bomb Wing June 30. 

Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ann Pace replaced Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cooley, who is now a command chief at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Chief Pace takes on the responsibility of serving as the primary advisor to the commander and senior staff on the welfare, effective utilization, training, career progression, discipline and organizational performance of more than 4,400 personnel assigned to the wing's area of responsibility. Chief Pace has served in several capacities during her career, including an Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., which led her to become an aerospace control systems operator and instructor at Air Control Squadron, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, for two years. Chief Pace has also served as an electronic warfare operator, range and tower safety technician at the Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron, Crow Valley Range, Camp O'Donnell Air Station, Philippines, for three years; the non-commissioned officer in charge of simulation training program and senior director technician, tactical air control squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., for two years; air weapons division supervisor, Wallace Air Station, Philippines, crew chief air defense operations center and NCOIC, air defense standardization and evaluation, Headquarters NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, Colo., for three years. 

In 1994, Chief Pace took the position of NCOIC of exercise deployment in Rockville, Iceland, and from there became the superintendent of operations and training at Joint Interagency Task Force South, Howard Air Force Base, Panama; and the superintendent training, joint air operations center, Howard. 

In 1998, she changed duty stations to Hurlburt Field, Fla., serving as the superintendent of theater battle management operational and developmental test and evaluation flight and Air Force command and control training and innovation group superintendent, which led her to become the squadron superintendent, Air Control Squadron and Seventh Air Force Aerospace Control and Warning System functional area manager at Osan Air Base, Korea. 

In 2005 she served as a functional manager of command and control, space systems and tactical air control party assignments, Headquarters AFPC, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and in 2007 as a chief enlisted manager and squadron superintendent, 325th Air Control Squadron, and Headquarters AETC Aerospace Control and Warning System Functional Manager, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., before accepting the position of command chief here. 

She earned her master's degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2000. She also has earned two associate's degrees along with multiple Non-Commisioned Officer Acadamy and leadership certificates. 

During her 27 years of service, Chief Pace has earned a Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, a Combat Readiness Medal. 

Along with numerous decorations, Chief Pace has also earned several achievements including, distinguished grauduate in both non-comissioned officer preparatory course and leadership course as well as senior noncommisioned officer of the year, Joint Interagency Task Force South.