Poling looks to leave positive impact

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MASS. --  Chief Master Sgt. Craig A. Poling has always attempted to impact the careers of Airmen through mentorship, setting the example and helping them understand their role in the Air Force.

As Poling transitions in early September to be the command chief at the 87th Air Base Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., he hopes that throughout his tenure as Hanscom's senior enlisted member, he was able to make a difference in the careers of Airmen.

"I hope that I have had a positive effect on the Hanscom Air Force Base community," he said. "What I strive for through mentorship and setting the example is to help keep the United States Air Force the best Air Force in the world."

Although the chief was originally assigned as the 66th Air Base Group superintendent, the position changed soon after the Air Force Materiel Command's top chief visited Hanscom in the spring of 2014.

"Chief [Michael] Warner saw many of my duties were similar to those of a command chief, so he made a recommendation to Headquarters Air Force to bring back the command chief position at Hanscom and align it under the 66th Air Base Group," Poling said.

While at Hanscom, Poling helped Airmen understand their roles as it relates to the mission. Early on, he identified the need to educate 66 ABG Airmen to better understand the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center mission and how they contribute to it.

The chief and other senior leaders in the ABG invited C3I and Networks and Battle Management program managers to attend 66 ABG all-calls to discuss their programs.

"We organized the briefings so the 66th Air Base Group personnel could better understand the impact they, as well as this base, have to the warfighter downrange," he said.

Another way he enjoys touting the important work done at Hanscom is by speaking to Airmen one-on-one.

"As one example, I love talking about the BACN [Battlefield Airborne Communications Node] system because it's something most people can relate to if they've seen the movie 'Lone Survivor,'" Poling said. "That's just one of many innovative programs that are executed at this base."

The chief admits as he nears the end of his tenure here, when he first learned he was going to be assigned to an Air Force base in Massachusetts, he had to do a little research to learn more about Hanscom.

"I'll be honest, I wasn't totally familiar with this base or what the mission was," he said. "However, now that I've been here, I realize the mission is incredibly important to the warfighter and to the future of our Air Force."

After 19 months at Hanscom, Chief Poling and his wife, Senior Master Sgt. Stephanie Poling, and their three children, have really enjoyed the greater Boston area.

"Hanscom is situated in a beautiful region of the country," he said. "We're fortunate to live in an area that has such a rich history and vast amount of brain power -- we'll miss it."

Poling departs Hanscom after serving as the principal advisor to the installation commander on all matters pertaining to the enlisted force. At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, his role as the host wing command chief will include senior enlisted mentorship to more than 1,200 Airmen as well as sister service enlisted members at the Department of Defense's only tri-service installation.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my service as a command chief at my next assignment, which will be my final two years in the Air Force," he said. "What better way for me to end my career after 30 years in the Air Force?"