Command Chief to leave Hanscom with fond memories

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Excitement mixed with sadness -- these two seemingly opposite emotions are the feelings of Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois as she prepares to leave Hanscom in November for a year-long short tour to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.

Chief Sirois, who has served as the 66th Air Base Wing and Electronic Systems Center command chief since October 2005, reflected fondly on her time here, focusing in particular on the mission impact and can-do attitudes of the Airmen assigned to Hanscom and the center's geographically separated units.

"It's always sad to leave a great assignment - all of the great people and all of the wonderful things that they've done, but I'm looking forward to the challenges and all the opportunities at the new location," she said.

At Manas, Chief Sirois will be the Command Chief for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. She will be stationed with approximately 1,200 Airmen and will have the opportunity to interact with Army personnel as well, since many Soldiers transit through the base.

Replacing Chief Sirois as the 66 ABW and ESC command chief will be the Chief Master Sgt. Karen McCoy, who is currently the Air Force Materiel Command first sergeant.

Chief Sirois described Chief McCoy as a "very responsive" chief, who knows how to care for and develop Airmen. "We won't miss a beat here at Hanscom or in the ESC [with Chief McCoy]," she said.

While Chief Sirois said she knew she was leaving her Hanscom position to a very capable individual, she said she'd still miss the base, the people and the many happy times while she was stationed here.

One event that she said she was particularly proud to have been a part of was meeting retired Chief Master Sgt. Esther MacKay. At 102, Chief MacKay who is the oldest chief master sergeant, became a celebrity among Hanscom personnel and was honored during the Chief's Recognition Ceremony in June and the base's 60th Anniversary Ball in September. Chief Sirois also had the honor of presenting Chief MacKay with a plaque and medallion recognizing her as an Honorary Charter Chief.

The chief said the main highlight of her time spent at Hanscom was working with the Airmen of ESC and watching them develop and achieve success.

"That's the beauty of the military lifestyle -- you come, you meet great people and hopefully positively impact someone along the way" Chief Sirois said.

"It's kind of interesting, as you get toward the end of your career and see Airmen grow and take on things that you used to do as a young Airman - it's awesome-- and even more awesome when those things they carry on are some of our Air Force's deep-rooted traditions," she said.

As she continues to serve her country and the Air Force thousands of miles away from Hanscom, the chief said the impact of dedicated Airmen remained the same regardless of their location.

"It really doesn't matter where you're at," she said. "To see a young Airman stepping up and leading -- you just know that the Air Force is going to be in good hands.

Helping to empower those Airmen to lead and succeed is something that Chief Sirois is especially adept at doing.

"Chief Sirois is 100 percent dedicated to the Air Force mission and the Airmen who fulfill it. I know she will do an outstanding job serving the Airmen of Manas as she has done here," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander.

"She lives and breathes the Airman's Creed and what it means to be a Wingman. She is always willing to offer both sound advice and kind words to junior - and senior - military members. We are all better Airmen, and better people, for having known Chief Sirois and she will have the same impact on Manas Airmen," he said.

Ensuring Airmen are properly cared for so they are capable of stepping up and serving the Air Force is something that Chief Sirois takes very seriously.

"It boils down to making sure every Airman knows he or she is important to me, our Air Force and what they bring to the fight," she said.

It's also a role that she is grateful to have.

"Thank you for allowing me to serve as your command chief," she offered as her message to the Airmen she will soon leave. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to serve the men and women of ESC and our GSUs."