RAF Lakenheath bids farewell to Command Chief

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Sutton, 48th Fighter Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, retired at a ceremony in Hangar 6 May 18.

Chief Sutton served as the wing's command chief for 19 months before retiring after 22 years of service in the Air Force.

"When I first joined the Air Force, I didn't know I wanted to make it a career. I joined the Air Force because I needed a dependable job," said Chief Sutton. "Once I got to basic military training, I found out about the chief master sergeant rank and decided then and there that's what I wanted to be."

Chief Sutton achieved his goal in October 2002. 

RAF Lakenheath was Chief Sutton's second command chief assignment. "I am very proud to have taken a strong stand on community standards to make RAF Lakenheath a better place to live," he said.

During Chief Sutton's tenure at the Liberty Wing, he successfully acquired over $450,000 for quality of life programs. One of these successes included the Liberty Patrol.  The Liberty Patrol provides a noncommissioned officer presence in the dormitories and 48th Services venues to significantly reduce the number of alcohol related incidence and assaults.

"Chief Sutton is truly an outstanding leader with so many great attributes that I look up to and want to mirror... such as his willingness to do the right thing and his determination to get the job done no matter what the consequences are," said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Krahn, 48th Medical Operations Squadron chief master sergeant and president of the Chiefs Group.

Because of his leadership attributes, Chief Sutton moved up the ranks quickly from Airman to Chief. While many people dream of being promoted through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program, the Chief not only received the rank of technical sergeant through the STEP program but also master sergeant.

"The best piece of advice I could give any Airmen is if you want to be successful in the Air Force and you find yourself loosing your way - take a walk down memory lane, and go back to Basic Training in San Antonio. Find the things that made you successful in the first place," said Chief Sutton.

After 22-plus years of hard work, the chief doesn't plan on stopping yet.

"I plan on getting my masters degree," said Chief Sutton. "I also plan on taking a year or two off to spend time with my family and play as much golf as I can." 

Temporarily standing in as the 48th FW command chief master sergeant is Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Williams, 48th Maintenance Group chief master sergeant. Chief Williams will continue as the command chief master sergeant of the 48th FW until a permanent command chief master sergeant is selected.