MCLAUGHLIN AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, W.Va. -- In a ceremony jointly attended by Army and Air National Guard personnel, Chief Master Sgt. Fred Turner relinquished his role as the West Virginia State Command Chief to Chief Master Sgt. James Dixon during a formal change of responsibility ceremony held Feb. 4, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia.
For the uninitiated, this ceremony is very similar in style and tone to that of a change of command ceremony, but differs in its role, as it is for enlisted and civilian personnel.
Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, The Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, presided over the ceremony.
Hoyer touched on the uniqueness of the position and offered words of encouragement for both the outgoing and incoming chiefs.
During the ceremony, Turner offered some final inspiring words, by reminding Airmen that, “success is not created alone. It is forged through teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.”
Turner had served as State Command Chief since 2013 accumulating a tenure of just over three years. His military service dates back more than 40 years, beginning in 1976 when we entered active duty as a flight line crew chief working on C-141 aircraft.
Dixon will now serve as the West Virginia State Command Chief, the highest enlisted position for an Airman in the West Virginia Air National Guard.
Dixon accepted this new position with a sobering attitude, by expressing his gratitude to the 130th Airlift Wing leadership for this new opportunity. He urged fellow Airmen to “step out of your comfort zone and accept new challenges.”
Dixon previously served as the plans, programs and resources chief for the 130th AW.
With this change of responsibility, the WVANG now prepares for 2017 with a new State Command Chief and new possibilities in the coming future.