Barksdale welcomes new command chief

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2nd Bomb Wing recently welcomed its newest enlisted leader to the team, Command Chief Master Sergeant Larry Malcom.

After just two weeks on the job, Chief Malcom reports that he is "utterly pleased" by the caliber of Airmen he's met since arriving on base.

"I arrived the week after the NSI and met Airmen working out in the heat who were still all smiles," he said. "They displayed the proper respect and decorum ... that lets me know their leadership has made it a top priority and the Airmen have risen to the occasion."

As command chief, Malcom serves as advisor to the 2 BW commander on all matters concerning the morale, welfare, health, utilization and professional development of Airmen, civilians, their family members and retirees, a job he describes as a phenomenal opportunity.

"To continue serving our Airmen is a blessing," he said. "There is nothing like the opportunity to serve Airmen everyday who put their lives on the line in the AOR, dropping bombs and taking the fight to the enemy. To be a part of Air Force Global Strike Command, the historical Eighth Air Force and the 2nd Bomb Wing is truly an honor."

Chief Malcom brings 25 years of experience to Barksdale and a healthy dose of advice along with it.

"Positive attitudes, smiles and skills go a long way," advises the chief who is also a self- proclaimed advocate for education. "We never stop learning. Learning is vital to the enlisted and officer force. We have to continue to educate ourselves on how to do things smarter, better and more efficiently. I advocate for all the education we can get for our Airmen to make them better Airmen and warriors."
To further set Airmen up for success, Chief Malcom offers his TEAM concept - To Excel, Attitude Matters.

"Attitude gets you going in the right direction and can sustain you but to be successful you have to have the skills," he said. "It isn't about the number of stripes or amount of your paycheck ... it's you that determines your level of success. You have to do your best no matter what the situation. There won't always be a pat on the back, but you have to go home at night and be able to look at yourself in the mirror."

The chief said it's important for Barksdale Airmen to not only maintain positive attitudes and good relationships with each other, but to continue to foster the great relationship Barksdale has with the local community.

"I am amazed at the relationship we have with the local community and military affairs council," he said. It's obvious when meeting people like Helen Black that the local community loves our Airmen and Barksdale."

As a former resident of Barksdale, the chief was also appreciative of the opportunity to return to the place of his childhood and be a part of the same mission his father once was.