JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON -- Chief Master Sgt. Lee Mills officially became the new command chief of the 673d Air Base Wing on June 17.
Installation command chiefs serve as the senior enlisted leader and advisor to installation commanders on all enlisted matters, including readiness, professional development, training, and quality of life of the joint service military and civilian personnel of an installation. Mills said he has high expectations for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and himself.
“I’m committed to ensuring that our diverse mission and operations are accomplished, while making sure the people executing them are taken care of,” Mills said. “I hope to represent the enlisted force well. Since there’s a lot asked of our Soldiers and Airmen here, I want to find the challenges they are facing and do what I can to eliminate some of the barriers.”
With 26 years of experience, including two previous stops at JBER, Mills plans to incorporate important lessons learned from throughout his career to his new role as command chief.
“Working on a variety of aircraft as a maintainer, serving as a first sergeant, and being a part of numerous commands around the world including NATO, I can reach back to all of those experiences to help my decisions today,” Mills said. “It isn’t about leaving my mark, it’s about doing all I can to help the organization succeed now and after I’m gone.”
Initially serving at Elmendorf Air Force Base in 2001 to 2004 as an electronic warfare systems craftsman and again in 2008 to 2012 as a first sergeant with the 3rd Maintenance Operations Squadron, 673d Medical Group and the 11th Air Force, Mills understands the uniqueness of JBER.
Because Alaskan forces can be called upon to support both U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Northern Command’s operations, it’s important for troops to understand how important their roles are.
“As much fun as it is to get out and enjoy what Alaska has to offer, we all need to keep in mind the strategic significance of where we are and why our nation needs us here,” Mills said. “Our ability to provide a deterrent and responsive force for USNORTHCOM is without compare.
“Our ability to project power to the far reaches of the globe and to provide USINDOPACOM with a ready, lethal option in a moment’s notice makes us critical to global security,” he said.
Hosting three Air Force total force wings, two Army brigades, and 75 associate and tenant units, JBER’s diversity is unlike any in the Department of Defense.
“Nowhere else in the United States do we bring so many weapons systems within such close range to those that would do us harm,” Mills said. “It’s a team effort – every Airman, Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman and civilian who is a part of JBER plays a significant role in our nation’s defense.”
Along with his desire to support the mission, Mills hopes to motivate all service members stationed here to achieve more for themselves.
“If I could, I would tell the younger version of myself to invest better, get my education done sooner, and enjoy the moments in the places I was in,” Mills said. “I learned it’s important never to pass up an opportunity to do something different, to get outside your comfort zone as often as possible and to be present in the moment.”
After spending the past two years as the 92d Air Refueling Wing’s command chief at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Mills knew coming back to JBER as the command chief would present a new set of challenges – challenges he’s looking forward to facing as he helps the next generation of Airmen thrive in a large and diverse wing.
“I will do all I can in this role to be engaged with the whole team, to be open to feedback, and to be available and visible to all those that would need my support. I’m here to be an advocate, a sounding board, and when needed a reality check,” Mills said. “I feel blessed to have been selected for this position, and my family and I are excited to be back at JBER.”