Tenth Air Force Welcomes New Command Chief

Photo By Jessica Martin | Maj. Gen. Ronald B. "Bruce" Miller returns a salute to Chief Master Sgt. James Loper during the Assumption of Responsibilities Ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on September 27. Chief Master Sgt. Loper succeded Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Brandhuber as Tenth Air Force Comand Chief Master Sgt. takng on the responsibilities for the morale and welfare of almost 20,000 Airmen in 10th Air Force. (Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Jessica D'Ambrosio)  

NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, TX, UNITED STATES

09.27.2017

Story by Maj. Rodney Ellison 

10th Air Force

Responsibility for the enlisted force within 10th Air Force officially changes hands Oct. 1, however, on Sept. 27 a ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, was held to illustrate the change of responsibilities.
Chief Master Sgt. James Loper, the command chief for the 926th Wing at Nellis AFB, assumed the top enlisted position, succeeding, Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Brandhuber.
In his new role, Loper will advise Maj. Gen. Ronald B. “Bruce” Miller, 10th Air Force commander, on all matters concerning the health, morale, welfare and effective management of more than 20,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen at 30 locations nationwide. Loper will do this in the Air Force Reserve Command’s most diverse numbered Air Force, which consists of all fighter, bomber, special operations, rescue, airborne warning and control, fighter and bomber flying-training missions, combat air operations battle staff, remotely-piloted aircraft, space and cyber units.
“Our job, as leaders in our communities, is to advocate for our Airmen and make sure this mission is compelling,” the general said. “I need leaders who will look their Airmen in the eye and understand what they are dealing with, but I also need them planning out into the future and advising me on how we can move our mission forward. I am confident in Chief Loper’s ability to lead the way in that effort.”
As the 10th Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt., Loper will provide leadership and guidance as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils and boards, and at military functions throughout the command.
After receiving the command chief’s coin from Miller, Loper addressed the audience.
“I'm very humbled and excited to work for you as the next Tenth Air Force Command Chief,” Loper said. “I'm looking forward to visiting our units, meeting and seeing firsthand the amazing things 10th Air Force Airmen do every day.”
Loper went on to discuss the strengths of the Air Force Reserve he continuously observes.
“At every occasion, ceremony, staff meeting or just in passing with our total force partners I am told how they could not do what they do without the Reserve partnership,” he said. “I believe that to be true and mutually beneficial everywhere! Our Airmen serve in nearly every mission set within the combat air forces and what we do in 10th Air Force is vital to the success of our Air Force today and tomorrow.”
Ending his speech, Loper set his expectations.
“My goal is for every Airmen to have a choice when opportunities present themselves rather than saying ‘I wish I would have known,’ after the fact. I want you to be able to make the choices that allow you to serve in a way that keeps your life in balance, so you can be …Always There!”

• Date Taken: 09.27.2017
• Date Posted: 09.29.2017 23:22
• Story ID: 250182
• Location: NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, TX, US