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Shaw welcomes new command chief

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  The new 20th Fighter Wing command chief reported for his first duty-day at Shaw Aug. 13. 

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff is the highest enlisted member in the 20th FW and is responsible for 4,300 enlisted Airmen in the wing. 

"The 20 Fighter Wing is honored to welcome our new Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Scott Dearduff, along with his wife 'Mags' and son, Sean. Chief Dearduff brings to Shaw unprecedented experience from both on and off the battlefield. He arrives to Shaw from Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Chief epitomizes our Air Force's core values: Integrity, Service, Excellence, and is the perfect addition to Team Shaw in time to coordinate the welcome and beddown of U.S. 3rd Army in the years ahead. We're very proud to have the Dearduffs on our great team," said Col. James Post, 20th FW commander. 

"I am here to take care of the enlisted force and their families," Chief Dearduff said. "It's my job to make sure the Airmen understand the commander's policies, standards, and the wing and Air Force mission." 

Chief Dearduff has served more than 25 years and has been a command chief at two previous bases; Luke AFB, Ariz. and Balad AB, Iraq. 

The chief said he gladly accepted the opportunity to be the command chief at Shaw because he enjoys being active in the day-to-day mission and he looks forward to using his experience and position to make improvements. 

"I hope to bring a renewed emphasis on noncommissioned officer responsibilities," Chief Dearduff said. "I want to build enthusiasm for changes that are taking place in the Air Force; modernization, capitalization, new uniforms, etc." 

Chief Dearduff said the Airmen should not be intimidated by him. At the chief's previous assignment he said he was "boots on the ground" with the Airmen and he expects to continue to be interactive with the enlisted force at Shaw. 

"I absolutely expect to meet Airmen out in the workplace to talk about professional issues and improvement," he said. 

The chief said he is proud to represent the enlisted force and hopes the Airmen will proudly represent him by properly following Air Force standards and regulations. 

Twenty-five years steady and Chief Dearduff said he still enjoys waking up each morning and serving in the Air Force. 

"When I joined, I just wanted to serve my country," Chief Dearduff said. "Back then, that's just what we did. This is what I enjoy doing."