Powell achieves enlisted corps’ highest rank of chief master sergeant

Chief Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 130th Airlift Wing communications flight chief enlisted manager, recites the Chief's Creed during a formal promotion ceremony held March 4, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. Powell was promoted to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force after more than 23 years in the West Virginia Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Eugene Crist)

Powell achieves enlisted corps’ highest rank of chief master sergeant

Chief Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 130th Airlift Wing communications flight chief enlisted manager, stands at attention while members of his family pin on his new rank of chief master sergeant March 4, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, W.Va. Powell was promoted to the enlisted corps' highest rank during a formal promotion ceremony held in his honor. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Eugene Crist.)

Powell achieves enlisted corps’ highest rank of chief master sergeant

Chief Master Sgt. Mike Powell, 130th Airlift Wing communications flight chief enlisted manager, stands before the crowd at his promotion ceremony held March 4, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. Powell achieved the rank of chief master sergeant after serving 23 years in the W.Va. Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eugene Crist)

Powell achieves enlisted corps' higest rank of Chief Master Sergeant

Published March 7, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Eugene Crist
130th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Michael Powell, 130th Communications Squadron chief enlisted manager, was promoted to the rank of chief master sergeant during a promotion ceremony held March 4, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia.

Lt. Col. Stacy Shade, 130th communications flight commander, presided over the ceremony and commented on Powell’s leadership qualities.

"You don’t have to be around him long to learn that he is extremely dedicated and leads by example," said Shade. ”One percent of the enlisted force makes it to the rank of chief master sergeant and today we are promoting an Airman that is the embodiment of what we talk about an Airman should be.”  
Powell joined the 130th AW in 1994 as an information management specialist with the 130th services flight. From 1996 to 2010 he served in both the operations and system branches within the communications flight. During that time, he worked in networking operations, was the base communications security manager and managed all major communications projects as head of the plans and programs section. Since 2010, Powell has served as the systems branch superintendent where he oversaw the information assurance, plans and programs and knowledge operations management sections.  
“My parents taught me at an early age to study hard and work hard because it pays off in the long run,” noted Powell during his promotion speech. “Today is one of those days.”

He also reflected on how he was thankful that wing leadership had the confidence in him to take on this opportunity.
“I want to thank all of our communications personnel for doing what you do each and every day,” he continued. “It’s what you do that makes my job as a leader easy.”

As chief enlisted advisor, Powell will be charged with overseeing the enlisted force of the communications flight and providing counsel to the 130th CF commander on enlisted issues.