7th Air Force command chief bids farewell to Osan, reflects on tenure Published Nov. 2, 2011 By Maj Eric Badger 7th Air Force Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- After serving as the 7th Air Force Command Chief since November 2010, Command Chief Master Sergeant Tom L. Baker said a heart-felt thank you and farewell to Team Osan, Team Kunsan and the entire Korean peninsula. As the command chief, he serves as the principle senior enlisted advisor to the commander on the morale, welfare, training, mission readiness and effective utilization of the commands more than 9,000 combat-ready personnel assigned to two wings, five collocated operating bases and 19 geographically-separated operating locations. He ensures the combat readiness of the command through sound policies, practices and training. Command Chief Baker departs from his post as Command Chief Nov. 10 to fill the post as Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) functional manager for career enlisted aviators. "I am headed to Hurlburt Field, Florida and AFSOC Headquarters," he said. "I will be returning to my primary air force specialty code as a loadmaster and functional manager for AFSOC's Career Enlisted Aviators who fly the AC-130, MC-130, CV-22 and other specialized aircraft." Command Chief Baker noted that his role as the 7th Air Force Command Chief provided him with what he considers to be the greatest opportunity of all - recognizing Airmen for the outstanding achievements they accomplish everyday. "It doesn't matter if it is as simple as presenting a coin or as detailed as assisting Lt. Gen. Remington select the most deserving Airman for STEP promotion to the next grade," he said. "Having the opportunity to reward and recognize Airmen is the one thing I can never get enough of. " The command chief is quick to highlight that above all he has been able to accomplish here at the 7th Air Force, his most distinctive accomplishment is bringing about the return of Airmen Leadership School to the peninsula. He said, "Closing the deal with PACAF to bring Airmen Leadership School (ALS) back to Korea on a permanent basis was a huge deal. This is an issue that my two predecessors had laid the ground work to make happen. This past spring, we were finally able to craft a workable plan that General North approved for seven classes a year to be taught on the peninsula, four at Osan and three at Kunsan." Command Chief Baker also shared one final piece of advice to all Airmen on the Korean peninsula. "Stay focused on the mission and take care of your Wingmen," he said. "We are going to face some very challenging times in the coming years with all the budget cuts, but the threat in the North will remain." As the Topeka, Kansas native reflects upon his tenure here, he has nothing but fond memories of his first assignment to Korea and the friends he and his wife, Peggy, have made. "Despite not knowing what to expect when we got here, my wife and I have really enjoyed this assignment," he said. "We will miss our Korean friends the most. Thank you for sharing your culture and being such genuine, outstanding hosts to our Airmen." With a 26-year career that spans across the world, the men and women of the US-ROK alliance hold a special place in Command Chief Baker's heart and mind. "It has been an honor to represent the Airmen serving in Korea as the 7th Air Force Command Chief over the past year," he said. "Even though this assignment has been shorter than expected, the Airmen that I have served with here, both USAF and RoKAF, have made this one of my most memorable tours of duty." Chief Master Sergeant Harold "Buddy" Hutchison, currently deployed to Balad, Iraq as Command Chief, will replace Chief Master Sergeant Baker.