Hawk Chief” selected for command chief duty at Tinker AFB

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  The 8th Medical Group superintendent has been selected to be the command chief for the 72nd Air Base Wing at Tinker AFB, Okla. 

Chief Master Sgt. Eric Harmon, better known as "Hawk Chief," received news in July that he was selected for consideration for command chief duty. However, it wasn't until October when the chief was told he was selected to be the senior enlisted advisor to the wing commander at the 72nd ABW. 

The process for selection to command chief duty is lengthy. Chief Harmon's journey began with a letter of intent. 

"It's definitely something you have to think carefully about because when you go into that arena (of command chief duty), you lose control of your life," he said. "If selected you can go wherever they need you to go, and you have to accept that. You have to be willing to do whatever the Air Force wants of you and go wherever the Air Force wants you to go." 

Chief Harmon said after careful discussion with his family, he felt that he should apply. 

"I felt that was probably what my calling was -- for that next level of leadership," he said. "With that, I had some counsel with the 'Wolf Chief,' and he gave me some good advice along with some of my mentors to include a former chief master sergeant of the Air Force, some other chiefs I hold in high regard and some officers." 

Chief Harmon said the next step was at the wing level here. The wing command chief gathers and screens all the eligible candidates based on time in grade. Next, the wing commander and command chief selects the individuals who they'd like to endorse to compete at the Air Force level. According to Chief Harmon, there were approximately 1,700 eligible Air Force-wide. Out of that number, about 225 chiefs submitted applications. 

The selection board consisted of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and major command (MAJCOM) command chiefs. This year the board selected 50 applicants for command chief duty. Wing commanders at bases with vacant command chief slots select their command chief from the group of chiefs selected for command chief duty.
Chief Harmon was one of the finalists for the position at Tinker AFB. He interviewed with the wing commander there and a few weeks later, he officially learned he was selected.
While here at Kunsan, Chief Harmon has also spent some time as the 8th Fighter Wing's acting command chief. He said that it was a good experience and a great way to prepare him for his new job. 

"I think the energy and intensity of the Wolf Pack prepared me," he said. "Most of the time I filled in for the Wolf Chief, I also continued my medical group functions. I took it upon myself to take care of both houses so to speak. The intensity of that and juggling those two schedules and the different challenges I've experienced I think has prepared me for Tinker." 

Some of what Chief Harmon attributes his success to is having a positive attitude. 

"It's a small thing that makes the most difference and shape who we are and become," he said. "I think the small things that I have done or experienced have shaped me for this particular opportunity." 

The 8th Fighter Wing Command Chief Anthony "Wolf Chief" Brinkley said that Tinker AFB, couldn't have received a better Airman for the job of command chief there. 

"The 72nd Air Base Wing is going to benefit from Chief Harmon's ability to effectively articulate the concerns and desires of the enlisted Airmen as well as the vision and focus of the commander," Chief Brinkley said. "He's a bridge builder. He has the technical and personal expertise to get the job done." 

Chief Harmon will also serve as the Air Logistics Center command chief at Tinker AFB. He said he's looking forward to the new chapter in his life, but will also miss being apart of the Wolf Pack. 

"It's been an honor and privilege to serve here at the Wolf Pack with the wonderful men and women here who are working hard to take care of the Air Force mission and to take care of this peninsula," he said.