New command chief lays out priorities Published Jan. 17, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The new 18th Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Michael J. Warner, is ready to lead the wing's Airmen to new heights. Following his command chief assignment with the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Station, Mildenhall, England, he was honored to be selected to serve as Kadena's senior enlisted Airman. "Being a part of the largest combat wing in the Air Force," said Chief Warner, "the largest base in PACAF, and having the opportunity to serve with not just this wing, but with the partner units is exciting. I am excited about the challenge." Chief Master Sgt. Warner intends to focus on several important areas during his time here, including combat readiness, health, morale, wellness, and discipline. "My vision is to work hard to make our Airmen as ready as possible to perform their demanding mission, whether that mission is here or deployed, while at the same time preparing them for greater leadership roles in the future," said the chief, who arrived at Kadena in late December. According to the chief, increased combat readiness results from NCO development, training, education, and fitness. "The key for the enlisted force to meet those challenges is leadership, discipline, preparation, and the continuous pursuit to improve ourselves to be the best Airmen, NCO's and Senior NCO's [possible]," he said. One of his major focus areas is physical fitness. While the chief acknowledges that today's Airmen face additional responsibility at work, multiple deployments and family obligations, he maintains that they must always be physically prepared and uphold a high level of fitness to be ready at all times to get the job done. "We need to remember that physical fitness is each of our responsibilities," said the chief, "and we need to make sure that we are indeed fit to fight, not just fit to test." Chief Warner welcomes the opportunity to work with all members of Team Kadena. "I am thrilled to be here," he said, "and I look forward to working with all the folks that make Team Kadena so great."