Command Chief sprints to new assingment Published June 10, 2009 By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- His day starts at 5:30 a.m., he cuts through the damp pre-dawn air the sound of his sneakers hitting the pavement is the only sound thats heard. He spends the rest of his day reviewing enlisted performance reports, decorations, discharge packages, physical training retention packages, going to meetings, answering emails, visiting squadrons, attending ceremonies and talking to Airman Leadership School and First Term Airman Center students. In one way or another everyone at Barksdale knows who Command Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cooley is. To many he isn't just the 2d Bomb Wing command chief he is a leader, a mentor and a friend. When asked if he had aspired to be a command chief throughout his 26-year career, Chief Cooley said it wasn't a goal he had given much thought. To become a command chief, chiefs must go up for a selection board one year after pinning on E-9, only approximately 50 chiefs are selected for this board each year, and only about half ever become Command Chief. Once a chief becomes a candidate they are agreeing that they will serve as command chief anywhere in the world regardless of base of preference. "Prior to coming to Barksdale, I was selected to be a command chief candidate," said Chief Cooley. "When the former 2d Bomb Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Gene Mohr, received an assignment I volunteered for the job and was hired by Col. Daniel Charchian." Chief Cooley arrived on station in October 2005, and during that time the accomplishments of the wing and Airmen's dedication to the mission make this assignment stand out from the rest. "This is the busiest wing I've been assigned to, the mission we perform here is vital to our nation's security," said Chief Cooley. "This wing has been through numerous inspections since my arrival and thanks to the outstanding Airmen assigned to Barksdale the wing has passed them all." While no particular accomplishment during his assignment stands out above the rest, Chief Cooley was happy that he was able to give back to the Airmen. "I am glad we were able to get funding from Air Combat Command to upgrade and remodel our dorms and that we were able to find volunteers to run our Airman's Attic and prevent its closure," said Chief Cooley. Many people stand out during Chief Cooley's time at Barksdale, including members of various base organizations and the local community, but three Airmen in particular will leave a lasting impression. "I was fortunate to have three of the finest non-commissioned officers in our Air Force work as my executive assistants while I was here," said Chief Cooley. "Tech. Sgt. Christina Smith, Tech. Sgt. Melissa Pridgen and Staff Sgt. Julie Norton made sure I did my job and that I was where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there." Sergeant Pridgen says it was the Chief that left a lasting impression on her. "Working for Chief Cooley has been the best part of my career," she said. "The way he handles himself with the daily challenges he faces and his professionalism is inspiring. He has reenergized the goals I have for my military career and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities he has given me." As another chapter closes on Chief Cooley's career, he will say goodbye to the people he has inspired as he looks forward to his new job at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., as the 509th Bomb Wing command chief. Before he departs Barksdale at the end of June, he has one final message for the men and women of the 2d BW and Barksdale. "Thank you for all the support that you have shown me," he said. "Any success that came from the command chief's office had very little to do with me and all to do with the support of the Airmen assigned to Barksdale. I would also ask that everyone give Chief Pace the same support that I received." Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ann Pace from Osan Air Base, Korea, will be replacing Chief Cooley as the new 2d BW command chief.