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Members of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing greeted their new command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Eduardo Mireles, who has already been a part of their team for a month.
As the command chief, Mireles advises the 435th AGOW commander on all enlisted matters as the highest level of enlisted leadership. Mireles discussed his role in the 435th AGOW and his return to the wing.
What’s it like to be back in Germany?
I’m very excited to be back. I was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, in 2007 as the chief enlisted manager for the 4th Air Support Operations Group, which is now a part of this wing. Over the past two years I’ve noticed how the unit is running a lot smoother, as the wing has established itself. The wing is more efficient now because there is a better understanding of how to support our groups and squadrons. As a whole, we’re all over the world now, and we have a bigger impact on world events.
How did it feel to be selected as the 435th AGOW command chief?
It’s very exciting to come back and be the 435th AGOW’s command chief. It is a privilege and an honor to be selected for this position. I am very proud of the mission and of our Airmen. I just can’t say enough about them, the amount of deployments, whether here in European Command or in Central Command is unbelievable. We have a very high (operations) tempo, yet the morale in this wing is perhaps the highest I’ve seen in any unit.
What are some priorities and goals for your tenure as command chief?
One of my biggest priorities is my Airmen. Getting back to the basics, getting to know our Airmen, I think we need to get back to the face-to-face leadership. To make sure we understand what our Airmen are concerned about. I believe in General Welsh’s philosophy of every Airman has a story, we just need to listen to them. By getting down to that level, it will make our wing that much better because we understand our Airmen.
What is some advice you would give to your Airmen?
I tell them four things that I think will make them successful.
1. Be credible. Meaning they need to understand their job, inside and out. They need to be technical experts.
2. Be approachable. Other Airmen in the wing must feel comfortable coming to them and expressing their feelings without repercussions.
3. Be aggressive. Not toward each other, but with their tasks.
4. Be humble. Humility is a big attribute that our Airmen need to have.
What’s one highlight of your career?
The opportunity to lead a squadron for the first time was important to me. Being a squadron superintendent is one of the most tasking jobs in the Air Force for enlisted Airmen. As a superintendent your main mission is to train, equip and organize. But it’s also to listen and take care of the Airmen. As squadron superintendent taking care of 150 to 200 people you’re very busy, always trying to take care of the mission and the Airmen. I think that molded me into the person I am today, by making me a better senior NCO and definitely a better chief.
Who was there to guide you along the way?
I always had individuals I felt comfortable going to for help. I can remember as a young Airman there were always mentors I went to for advice. As I got older and more mature I started focusing on one specific mentor — Chief Master Sgt. Mark Villella, who ended up being a command chief. Throughout my career he was always the one I went to for advice or guidance. He was a very good mentor and one I still go to today.
