Ramstein welcomes new command chief

The 86th Airlift Wing welcomed its new command chief when Chief Master Sgt. James A. Morris and his family arrived at Ramstein at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Morris’ last assignment was with the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, where he also served as command chief.

Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th AW commander, said he is very pleased to welcome the new command chief.

“We look forward to Chief Morris’ leadership and experience,” the general said. “He will be a great asset to the 86th Airlift Wing and our KMC family, ensuring our Airmen and their families are mission ready.”

This is Morris’ fourth time being assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and his second time being stationed at Ramstein. In fact, he witnessed the 1964th Communications Group transfer from Air Force Communications Command to the 86th Airlift Wing.

As the new command chief, Morris is responsible for the health and welfare, professional development, training, combat readiness, and good order and discipline of the enlisted personnel here.

“My main focus is about professionalizing the enlisted force,” Morris said.

Morris also said he wants to help the enlisted corps understand why each job is important to the mission of generating airpower. Furthermore, he seeks to improve peer-to-peer relations to solve problems at the lowest level.

Morris encourages enlisted personnel to be innovative and to be experts, helping set goals to achieve an effective work center.

He stresses the importance of education, professional military education and being up-to-date on events through professional reading.

As passionate as he is to be the new command chief, Morris is just as excited for his return to Ramstein, he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the changes since I left in 1993. Especially

since Ramstein was primarily a fighter base then and has seen many changes since the end of the Cold War,” he said. “Also, I am looking forward to volksmarching with my daughter, Emily, getting to know Martine’s family better and reconnecting with my German friends that I have lost contact with over the years.”

Morris entered the Air Force in 1986.

His background is in communications, ranging from the squadron level to major air commands. His assignments have included bases in Alaska, Germany, Illinois, Belgium and North Carolina, as well as two deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“My favorite assignment is always the one I’m at,” Morris said. “So I already know Ramstein will be my favorite.”