HICKS NAMED NEW CHIEF AT EDWARDS AFB.

Byline: Daily News

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Command Chief Master Sgt. Steven Hicks has been named Edwards Air Force Base's command chief, its top enlisted post.

He was the superintendent of the 16th Operations Group at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and has operational experience in Air Force Special Operations Command. The new chief has been in the Air Force since 1976 and has been a chief master sergeant since 1995.

Hicks had served at Edwards from 1990 to 1994 as an airborne gunner and operations superintendent of a unit testing the AC-130U gunship.

``When my wife, Theresa, and I left in 1994, there was room for improvement,'' said the chief. ``It's amazing to see what has been done with the base infrastructure and people programs since then.''

Hicks said he wanted to see the enlisted force at Edwards be the best that it can be.

``Airmen should get their career development courses done and on-the- job-training finished as soon as they can,'' said the chief. ``I'm a firm believer that the better you know your job, the more satisfying your career will be.

``I've always been impressed with people who, when you ask them to do something, know more than just the basics of their job and they know how to work around limitations or obstacles and get things done.''

In addition to professional development, Hicks said, off-duty education is also essential to the military.

``It unlocks all sorts of doors during your career,'' he said. ``Whether it's classroom or distance learning, it's important to get the education while you can.''

The chief said the camaraderie at Edwards reminded him of overseas assignments.

``I like it overseas because you're a big family there - the same is true here,'' he said. ``It is all about taking care of each other and I see that every day; this is just a great place to be.''

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Steven Hicks

EAFB command chief