Command chief emphasizes honesty, communication

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE La. - --  While attending college, he worked a part-time job, but in 1990, he took the first step of a 24-year journey when he walked into a military recruiter's office.

"The Air Force seemed to fit my personality and allowed me to challenge myself mentally and physically," said Chief Master Sgt. Tommy Mazzone, 2nd Bomb Wing Command Chief. "I love what I do for a living. I love serving my country and the people I work with."

After graduating basic military training, Mazzone began his Air Force career in the Air Force's largest enlisted career field, while stationed at F.E. Warren, Wyo.

"I was looking for something to provide me with a [disciplined] structure I didn't have," he said. "I got exactly what I was looking for when I enlisted in security forces."

Originally a six-year enlistee, Mazzone retrained to become a loadmaster, and ended the last part of his career in special operations before coming to Barksdale. No matter the obstacle, Mazzone persevered and continued to reenlist.

"If I do only six years and then leave the service, I'd have a military background and future employment would look favorably on that," he said. "If I reenlisted, that's six years I can count toward retirement."

As the new 2nd BW command chief, Mazzone's priorities mirror those of Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd BW commander.

"I'm excited about working for Col. Goodwin," he said. "When I found out her priorities for the installation were people, mission and pride, I rallied behind it because those [priorities] are exactly what Barksdale and the Air Force in general needs."

To meet these priorities, Mazzone emphasizes streamlined communication at all levels of command.

"I want to make sure lines of communication are open and are as transparent as possible," said Mazzone. "That has to go up and down the chain - officers, enlisted and civilians. If we're going to talk to Airmen as Airmen, we have to be able to translate strategic messages to where people can understand them, answer their questions, and if we aren't able to, look them in the eye and tell them we don't know but we'll find out."

As both a command chief and as a person, Mazzone stresses Airmen can expect open and honest answers.

Additionally, Mazzone has a personal aim to make sure Airmen and their families are able to make full use of support agencies without feeling chastised by their peers.

"My goal for however long I have left in this military, is to crush the stigma associated with our Airmen seeking help through various support agencies such as the chaplain, mental health, you name it," he said. "We have to break the cycle of the old-school thought of 'suck it up' because that doesn't work for all situations. I don't think it necessarily toughens people in the way we think it does. I think it just hardens people even to themselves, so that when someone thinks they may need help, they won't go get it."

By focusing on the people, mission, and heritage that comprise Barksdale Air Force Base, Mazzone wants to help, highlight and be a voice for the Airmen who provide decisive nuclear deterrence and conventional firepower to combatant commanders for global strike operations. He wants to ensure our Airmen and our installation are both on the Air Force's radar.

"I want our Airmen to make an impact on other Airmen and inspire them to be the best they can be," he said. "I also want Barksdale Air Force Base to be the installation that inspires the Global Strike enterprise and the Air Force."