72nd ABW’s top enlisted Airman shares priorities Published April 29, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 72nd Air Base Wing's newest command chief said he is very passionate about leading the enlisted force. At Tinker, his first Air Force Materiel Command assignment, he will advocate the goals of Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and 72nd ABW senior leadership, plus his own professional philosophy, or rather G.O.A.L., "Get out and lead." Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Vegas, as command chief, advises Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd ABW commander, on enlisted matters and works closely with senior leadership to resolve morale issues, concerns and problems. He succeeds former 72nd ABW Command Chief Master Sgt. Eric Harmon who retired April 16. Arriving at Tinker from Kadena Air Base, Japan, Chief Vegas most recently served as superintendent of the 18th Medical Group. "I don't believe in analog or digital leadership," Chief Vegas said. "I subscribe to the notion that leaders must be visible and available for their people -- Airmen and civilians. I do not intend to lead electronically and I do not expect to hold Airmen accountable via e-mail." A native of Bronx, N.Y., the chief joined the Air Force in 1984. At 17, the chief said he didn't know exactly what he wanted to do with his life, only that he wanted to get out of his neighborhood to see the world and be a part of something rewarding. Each day as he trekked to and from a train that would take him to work at a local grocery store, he passed a row of recruiting stations for the various military branches. One day, he walked into the first shop in the row and spoke with an Air Force recruiter. "I didn't require much convincing and after a few minutes, I knew by joining the Air Force, I would be a part of something rewarding," Chief Vegas said. With his wife and their children, the Vegas family has seen much of the world. Chief Vegas, whose career is rooted in Air Force medical service, has completed seven assignments in several major commands -- the former Military Airlift Command, which preceded Air Mobility Command, where the chief was also stationed; Pacific Air Forces and United States Air Forces in Europe. "I've dedicated much of my career to the servant-leader philosophy," the chief said. "Let me explain this leadership philosophy with a quote by Gary Beikirch, a U.S. Army vet and a Medal of Honor recipient, 'I really believe that you'll never truly lead anybody until you learn to serve and you'll never serve somebody until you learn that there is something more important than yourself.'" Colonel Jamerson said he hired the right man for the job. "I was searching for a command chief who was people-focused, able to operate in a diverse and dynamic environment and a consummate model of Air Force core values. If he or she was a New York Yankees fan that would be icing on the cake," the colonel said. "I found all that and then some in Chief Vegas. He is absolutely the right choice to lead our enlisted force and I am honored to have him and his wife, Lori, as an integral part of our team." Chief Harmon, a friend of Chief Vegas, agreed. "He is the real deal," Chief Harmon said. "He has love in his heart. He'll be magnificent in this job."