3rd Wing’s command chief lays out goals, ideals

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Stewart recently took over as 3rd Wing command chief at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

His Air Force career started 28 years ago, when his life didn’t have much direction or guidance, Stewart explained.

“My initial entry to the Air Force began with only [a four-year contract] but with some very hard love from my supervisors, I just kept going until eventually ending up where I am today,” Stewart said. “I was lost and the Air Force took me in. I really feel that it saved my life.”

This isn’t Stewart’s first time at JBER.

“I was stationed here at Elmendorf, prior to the joint-basing, from 1992 to 1995,” he said. “It was one

of the happiest moments of my life when I found out I would be coming back. I love this mission, and I hope the Airmen in the wing emb-

race me the way I embrace them and the mission.”

Seeing the base before and after the merger has helped him realize the importance of his role.

One of his first steps as command chief, he said, is continuing the partnerships which have already been made across the joint base, and continually improving the quality of life for Airmen.

The 3rd Wing provides the commander of U.S. Pacific Command trained and equipped tactical air dominance forces, command-and-control platforms, and strategic and tactical airlift resources for contingency operations. It also provides the commander of U.S. Northern Command, immediate early airborne detection, warning, surveillance and interception of hostile forces within the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.

The wing flies the F-22 Raptor, C-17 Globemaster III, C-12 Huron and E-3 AWACS aircraft and is responsible for over 2,200 assigned Airmen.

“I believe getting out to my Airmen and being the most visible leader is what’s important,” Stewart said. “To do that, I need to get out to work-centers and [interact with] my Airmen. I need to do things like change an engine with my Airmen or fly on a sortie with my Airmen.”

Stewart said other aspects of his role include listening more than he speaks to get the truth and ensuring Airmen are mission ready.

“I can’t come in here and tackle every problem at once,” Stewart continued. “I need to take a few big rocks at a time and move them with persistence to get them out of the way so our Airmen can be more mission-focused and ready for the fight.”

All of Stewart’s experiences throughout his career have helped him to be where he is today, he said.

“Over the past years I’ve learned that tapping into experiences – whether they be negative or positive – has helped me grow and evolve,” Stewart said.

One example of a positive experience in his life was meeting his wife.

“I met [my wife] during my 14th year in the military,” Stewart said. “Through positive support and a great family to go home to, promotions just started happening. She was my inspiration and continues to be to this day.”

As command chief, he urges Airmen to learn to grow and evolve.

“Be the best at your job every day, continue to evolve as a leader, know your people, and be visible as a leader,” Stewart said. “You need to challenge your peers and subordinates, but allow them to fail. I know I learned a lot from failures during my career and I’m here because of that.”

“There is only one of me and thousands of Airmen, but I really want to know everybody,” Stewart said.