615th CRW command chief retires

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
After more than 26 years of service, the 615th Contingency Response Wing command chief, has decided it’s time to move on. Chief Master Sgt. Kelvin Hales will retire Thursday in a ceremony at Bldg. P-1. 

“I hate to leave the blue, the blue has been my life,” Chief Hales said. “You have to know when it’s your time, and it seems like the right time for me.” 

Chief Hales has had 11 assignments in his 26 years of service, including tours in Korea, the United Kingdom, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii and Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill. 

Chief Hales said the assignment that stood out the most to him was his time as the 100th Air Refueling Wing command post superintendent at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. 

“Nothing happened across Europe unless our tankers flew,” he said. 

However, being selected as the 615th CRW command chief stands out as his greatest career opportunity. 

“It was the thrill of a lifetime,” he said, “to lead men and women, mentor first sergeants and superintendents and develop a new mission like a contingency response wing; it’s been a joy.” 

The Air Force core values have been something Chief Hales has been able to apply at each assignment throughout his Air Force career. 

“Everything I’ve done has been to be as good as we can be as a team, as an individual and as a wing,” Chief Hales said. “I don’t think I would have ever gotten to be a command chief if excellence wasn’t my way of doing business.” 

And to the up and coming members of the Air Force, the chief offered a little advice. 

“Don’t let negativity detract from the focus on the mission, take care of your people and have a sense of humor,” he said. “If you’re not having fun at work, then you’re not having fun at all and you’re just kind of sour to be around.” 

The chief has stayed focused on the mission for more than 26 years and has had fun doing it. However, that many years in the Air Force, however fun and fulfilling they may be, can take its toll over time. 

“Chief Hales has made many sacrifices as a military member and command post controller over the years and has worked tirelessly to better our Air Force and Nation,” said Col. Timothy Grosz, 615th CRW commander. “He’s left each unit better than when he joined it, and his presence will be greatly missed in the CRW.” 

That being said, Chief Hales would not hesitate to stay in if he felt the Air Force needed him. 

“I could go another two years, three years, all the way up to 30 if the Air Force needed me and I was in a situation where it was absolutely imperative that I needed to stay.” 

For now, even though his professional decisions are still in the air, Chief Hales is looking forward moving on to Idaho to be closer to his sons. He is optimistic about his change of pace and looks back on his Air Force career with a sense of accomplishment.