HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary will pass on command chief responsibilities during a ceremony July 9 at 3 p.m. in the Aero Club hangar.
Since his arrival to Hanscom AFB in June 2022, along with Col. Taona Enriquez, installation commander, the duo have worked to implement a roadmap that aligns with higher headquarters.
"We launched a Hanscom 2024 strategic roadmap to build an infrastructure focusing on force development," said Weary. "Line of Effort 2, 'Build Better Airmen,’ is central to our mission."
Examples include integrating civilian personnel into military education programs.
"Each [Airman Leadership School] class has included one to two civilian employees, fostering a collaborative learning environment," Weary said.
When speaking about other base partners, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory and the Massachusetts National Guard, the command chief emphasized the importance of “intentional touchpoints” and regular meetings to align operations and address mutual needs.
"We have monthly meetings with key partners to discuss how we can better support each other,” he said. “This proactive communication ensures we can anticipate and alleviate stress points."
Weary's initiatives have also included enhancing wellness and morale on base.
"We've pushed our group staff agencies and squadrons to be more attentive to the needs of our workforce,” said the chief. “Initiatives like the trusted traveler program have been implemented to improve convenience while maintaining security."
Other efforts include bringing back the Team Hanscom awards program and monthly enlisted promotion ceremony.
The command team has also worked to connect with more than 10,000 civilians, enlisted, and officers who live and work at Hanscom AFB.
"We coined the phrase 'the most joint non-joint base' to reflect our unique composition," said Weary. "It's been about understanding the diverse needs of our warfighters from all services and their families and creating a common voice to serve them effectively."
To help with this, officials established quarterly Regional Commander's Symposiums to strengthen partnerships, creating a network of like-minded senior leaders.
Engaging with the nearby large, retired military population and base housing residents has also been crucial.
"Through surveys and regular communication, we’ve ensured that residents' concerns are addressed,” he said. “We’ve also utilized Facebook Live and other virtual platforms to keep our community informed."
Another emphasis has been the revitalization of community partnerships that had lapsed during the pandemic.
“We resurrected the Honorary Commanders and Directors’ Program, engaging passionate community leaders with squadron commanders and civilian leaders,” the chief said. “Additionally, our town managers' meetings have been pivotal in connecting with the local communities of Concord, Lincoln, Lexington, and Bedford.”
Weary noted the partnership with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which has strengthened research and innovation.
"The synergy between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, academia, industry, and our mission partners has been invaluable," he said.
As Weary prepares to hand over his responsibilities, he remains optimistic about the future.
"I’m confident that with the foundations we’ve laid and the strong partnerships we’ve built, Hanscom will continue to thrive under Chief Master Sgt. Jason Vollmer’s leadership."
Weary will retire after more than 25 years of service in the Air Force later this year.