20th AF command chief prepared to lead, make difference in FEW Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
FE WARREN AFB, WYO. --  If there are two ends of an Air Force spectrum, the aviation mission would be on one side and the ICBM mission would be on the other. 

However, both are extremely important and require precision and attention to detail to ensure the job is done right all the time. 

The new Twentieth Air Force command chief, a career enlisted aviator, possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to lead enlisted Airmen whose jobs are critical to the 20th AF, the Air Force and the DoD. 

"There are a lot of parallels when it comes to planes and missiles," said Chief Master Sgt. David E. Spector, 20th AF command chief. "Standards across the board need to be set to perfection. There's an undeniable criticality to the ICBM mission, and that means we all need to pay attention to detail, be precise in our everyday actions and retain our reliability. Coming into this position with a background in aviation, I think I'm in my element here." 

As the 20th's command chief, Chief Spector is the senior enlisted advisor to Maj. Gen Roger Burg, 20th AF commander, and the senior enlisted leader for the nation's ICBM force that is comprised of three missile wings at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and here. 

More than 9,500 Airman are assigned to the mission. 

The chief was an airman basic 26 years ago, and he radiates that "I-once-was-there-too" compassion and leadership to his Airmen. Chief Spector said he identifies himself with his roots daily because first and foremost, he's an Airman. 

"I'm a chief master sergeant with the privilege of serving other Airmen every day," he said. "What an awesome way to serve our country." 

"Besides my airman basic and airman ranks, I have earned all my stripes in the flight engineer career field, so I saw all levels of the leadership ladder," the chief said. "Supervisors climbing that leadership ladder need to have one hand on the next rung and one hand behind them helping their Airmen along." 

Chief Spector said one of the most rewarding parts of his career is seeing the Airmen he has mentored reach their goals. 

One important goal the chief said Airman should strive for is education. 

"Our Airman need to be professionals and having higher education bolsters that credibility," Chief Spector said. "Education betters Airmens' valuable communication skills, critical thinking ability, improves needed social skills and helps them be more articulate in expressing their thoughts. Those are all skills needed to lead in the Air Force." 

The chief said the characteristics he would expect from an Airman are apparent in the Twentieth Air Force. 

"The Airmen in the 20th Air Force are outstanding," he said. "They are a great group of people who understand the mission and are enthusiastic about their jobs. I'm impressed with all of our bases; everyone's on their game." 

Chief Spector said he plans to uphold the high standards of the mission and renew the public's trust in the 20th's ability to safely and securely manage ICBMs. 

A series of recent mishaps have presented challenges in the ICBM world. 

"Recently, our mission has drawn a lot of attention," he said. "I think the extra attention is an opportunity to show everyone that we are serious about upholding the high standards that are expected of us. General Burg and I will continue to keep a firm handle on the mission. We are on our game and we mean business." 

Throughout the years, Chief Spector said he has had the opportunity to witness changes in the Air Force. 

"Yes the Air Force has changed, but what have remained are the Air Force fundamentals and basic core values," the chief said. "There is also a lot more leadership and combat training for Airmen. Technologically, [the Air Force] has changed big time." 

Chief Spector said the Air Force fundamentals and core values are not just sound bites Airmen hear, but they are rather the tools that help Airmen become a good leader, one ladder rung at a time.