188th Wing command chief retires after 37 years of service

188th Wing
Story by Tech. Sgt. John Hillier

Date: 05.04.2019
Posted: 05.06.2019 12:17
News ID: 320897
Bradley retires after 37 years of service

The 188th Wing held a retirement ceremony here May 4, 2019, for their command chief master sergeant, who concluded his Air Force career after 37 years of service.

Chief Master Sgt. Stephen R. Bradley, 188th Wing command chief master sergeant, has served as the wing’s senior enlisted advisor for the past six years.

“Thank you so much for allowing me to be your command chief and to serve you,” said Bradley. “I just wish I had another 37 years that I could give, but the law says that when you turn 60 you have to take the uniform off and start serving in a different capacity.”

188th Wing Commander Col. Robert I. Kinney said that Bradley’s steadfast leadership and perspective has proven invaluable both for himself as well as previous wing commanders.

“What an incredible career he’s had, and an incredible legacy he’s leaving behind,” Kinney said. “He’s been an encouraging influence on our airmen, and has pushed individuals to always look forward and be prepared for their next opportunity. I’m thankful to have worked with him and be a small part of his career.”

Bradley enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1982 as a dental technician, serving at Blytheville AFB, and Little Rock AFB before joining the Air National Guard in 1994. He became the 188th Medical Group first sergeant in 2002, and then the human resource advisor for the 188th Wing and Joint Force Headquarters before being named as the wing’s command chief master sergeant in 2013. Chief Bradley was instrumental in the 188th Wing’s mission set conversion from A-10s to remotely-piloted MQ-9s and an intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance and targeting mission beginning in 2014.