615th CRW welcomes new command chief

  • Published
  • By Capt. Paradon Silpasornprasit
  • 615th Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  The 615th Contingency Response Wing welcomed Chief Master Sgt. Michael J. LaPlant as its new command chief Feb. 8. As 615th CRW command chief, he advises the commander and staff on matters influencing the health, welfare, morale and effective utilization of the wing's enlisted personnel from 41 diverse career fields assigned to three contingency response groups, a contingency operations support group, eight squadrons, and six geographically separated locations.

Chief LaPlant grew up in Palmdale, Calif., and entered the Air Force in January 1983. He arrives at Travis Air Force Base from his most recent assignment at Air Mobility Command Headquarters at Scott AFB, Ill. His background includes various duties in aircraft and as a career-enlisted aviator. He has deployed or flown in support of nearly 15 major operations and earned the numerous decorations to include the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He has more than 6,500 flight hours including 145 combat and combat support sorties and has earned Chief Airman Aircrew Member and FAA Private Pilot ratings.

What are you looking forward to as command chief?
"I'm looking forward to taking care of our Airmen so they can get the mission done. Especially within the CRW, which to me has one of the most interesting missions within Air Mobility Command."

How is this mission different from what you are used to seeing in AMC?
"It AMC is a very traditional operational mission, primarily from an operations or flying-group perspective, whereas the CRW is AMC's 9-1-1 -- setting up airfields, going into austere locations -- that's what I think is the big difference. Not to mention all the different skill sets within the CRW compared to a normal operations group. It's much more diverse.

That's what I find so exciting -- working with security forces, civil engineering, aerial porters, command and control folks and all the other specialties. This is something I wouldn't normally get an opportunity to do within normal operations group or flying organization."

What do you hope to accomplish here as command chief?
When I'm out and about meeting people I'm going to look for areas of improvement, whether it's the recognition of our Airmen, their professional development or mentoring. I'll be looking for opportunities to help our Airmen develop professionally and clear obstacles out of their way so they can get the mission done.

Are there challenges Airmen face today at the wing level that they didn't face before?
The Air Force I came into -- the Cold War Air Force --- was so much different. The bigger challenges today are the time away from family and the requirement for such diverse knowledge.

When I came in as a jet engine mechanic, all I had to know was how to be a jet engine mechanic. The things that used to be handled by an Air Force specialty -- finance is a good example -- and all the additional duties are the things our Airmen have to be proficient in as well as their skill set. Everything's online when it comes to your personnel stuff. We don't have an expert personnelist as our fingertips anymore, so you have to be very computer savvy and know so much more than your primary specialty to be successful in the Air Force.

How can Airmen better handle these stresses?
I'm a big proponent of using the resources, the programs and the processes we have and using them to the fullest extent. We have a lot of great organizations ready to help us and we need to make sure we get them engaged. Whether it's mental health or the chaplain's office or Airman and Family Resource Center, they are all out there. We just need to utilize them and break down those barriers and stereotypes when it comes to seeking help. It falls right there with the front line supervisor a lot of times to get their people to get that help.

That's going to be one of the things I'll focus on -- breaking down any of those barriers that may keep us from doing that. All those great programs and processes we have in place are easily accessible.

What's your message for the Airmen of the 615th CRW?
They're doing a fantastic job. America and the Air Force recognize that. I want us to work hard, to do great things for our nation and our Air Force. But I also want us to play hard and keep the core values close to us while we're playing.

What is your view on safety and the mission?
We have to go in harm's way as part of the Service Before Self commitment we all made, but safety is paramount. Our Airmen are too valuable to lose to an accident that could have been prevented.