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Highly-respected 552 ACW Command Chief retires

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kinder Blacke
  • 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  After over 29 years of service, August 14 is the last day Chief Master Sgt. James "Jim" Foltz, command chief, 552nd Air Control Wing, will serve as an active duty member of the United States Air Force.

Countless friends, family members, and colleagues have travelled to Tinker for his retirement ceremony, scheduled for today at 3:00 pm in dock two of Bldg. 230. Chief Foltz has invited all to attend the ceremony and stay for a cookout immediately after to celebrate.

It is no surprise that so many distinguished visitors are coming to recognize Chief Foltz and applaud his career. According to Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Sullens, command chief, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va., ask anyone--enlisted, commissioned, or civilian - and "you'll hear he is widely regarded as a most wise and respected senior leader."

Chief Sullens and Chief Foltz met in Korea in 1999 and Chief Sullens immediately recognized him as "a remarkably talented first sergeant."

"Right from the start, I labeled him as candid, perceptive, involved, visible and fit," remarked Chief Sullens. "In the many years since, his duty performance clearly showed my first impression clearly understated his potential."

Chief Sullens realized that Chief Foltz has a passion for serving our country and the people in it. "His daily conduct defines 'servant leadership,'" he said, "and he is well-known for addressing--often with the tenacity of a bulldog--the long-overlooked issues others ignored or judged unworthy of the time and effort."

Chief Foltz's extraordinary dedication to the Airmen was also recognized by his supervisor, Col. Pat Hoffman, commander, 552nd ACW, who says Chief Foltz is one of the finest Airmen she has ever worked with, regardless of rank.

"He didn't just take care of 552nd ACW Airmen, he was there for every Airman on Tinker Air Force Base," she said. "If there was a quality of life issue that affected us, Chief Foltz would get the right people together, find a solution, and not quit until the issue was resolved."

In addition to the big quality of life issues that Chief Foltz tackled, he never forgot to focus his attention on Airmen as individuals. Airman First Class Pierre Mansfield, 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, was in the dining facility for lunch one day when Chief Foltz invited him to sit down and eat with him.

Airman Mansfield was caught off guard and thought, "oh my goodness, this guy has more stripes on his arm than I have months in the military."

It did not take long for Airman Mansfield to realize how lucky he was to be talking one-on-one with somebody of such influence. "He was very polite and told me that not a lot of people make it to where I am in the Air Force as an Airman First Class," he said.

"I learned that we have one life to live and putting that on the line for the lives of our loved ones, to be able to walk free in this country, should be more than an honor," said Airman Mansfield. "If it were up to Chief Foltz, every member serving in the military would earn a Medal of Honor."

Airman Mansfield was one of many Airmen that Chief Foltz mentored and invested time in, especially since he spent over 10 years working as a first sergeant.

As the first sergeant for the 552nd Training Squadron, Chief Foltz mentored Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Haddox, NCOIC, 552nd ACW Protocol, who also worked in the 552nd TRS at the time.

"He taught me everything I know about the disciplinary process." said Sergeant Haddox. "He taught me that although there are times that you really have to be firm, there are also times where you need to dig to get to the root of the problem they are having and help them solve it."

Because Chief Foltz took the time to do so, he ended up having a huge impact on Airmen in the wing.

"Chief Foltz was a rare command chief," said Sergeant Haddox. "He always stressed that Airmen are the basis for our enlisted corp. If you take care of and mold your Airmen, they will become valuable NCOs. Then they, in turn, will be sure to take care of their Airmen."

Chief Foltz inspired his Airmen to take care of each other and improve themselves at the same time.

"Chief Foltz has not just taught me about improving myself as an NCO, he has taught me about improving myself as a person," said Sergeant Haddox. "He is and always will be someone to look up to and learn from."

The extent of Chief Foltz's impact is immeasurable. When the 964th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron heard of his retirement, they wanted to thank him for all he had done for them and decided to fly an American flag on a combat sortie over Southwest Asia in his honor.

"All the Airmen here adore Chief Foltz and were so excited to take pictures on the jet holding his flag as we flew the mission," said Capt. Kristen Thompson, pilot, 964th EAACS.

Captain Thompson had the joy of working with Chief Foltz on the 552nd ACW Wing Staff for a year and he made a lasting impression on her. And she is not the only one. Chief Foltz also made an impressive impact on the former 552nd ACW commander, Brig. Gen. Lori Robinson, Deputy Director for Force Application, Directorate of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, DC.

When asked what it was like to work with Chief Foltz, General Robinson said, "It was a blast." She mentioned, however, that you have to be in good shape because Chief Foltz has so much energy, it's tough to keep up.

"He has a very infectious positive attitude, just being around him is fun beyond belief," she said.

General Robinson was impressed by his passion for the Airmen and their families and his willingness to go the extra mile. She also appreciated his desire to make every event, no matter how significant, a classy one.

"He lives our Air Force core values... he doesn't just talk about them... or point at them... he lives them," she said.

Even after over 29 years, he maintains the highest of standards, maxing his PT tests and keeping up with the youngest Airmen. Chief Foltz is often seen doing physical training with the Airmen, or running over six miles to visit the 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron across base, and back. He was even chosen as the model to create a bronze figure to present to all first sergeants at the end of their term.

The statue is appropriate considering how many Airmen look up to Chief Foltz. "He gives me something to aspire to, both professionally and personally," said Sergeant Haddox.

Chief Sullens also recognized the impressive balance Chief Foltz enjoys in the areas of duty, family, and self. "Duty and personal accomplishments aside, the Foltz family portrait is a picture worth a thousand words, and speaks volumes of his personal commitment to providing opportunity--even out of uniform," said Chief Sullens.

Eight years ago, Chief Foltz and his wife accepted the huge commitment of adopting four children and have since raised them as their own. "Mr. and Mrs. Jim Foltz are rare national treasures," recognized Chief Sullens, "and an exceptional testament to the American dream."

This family will be the new focus in Chief Foltz's life once he is retired and settled in to Durango, Colo. "I've had to miss plenty of their sporting events and recitals, and now it's time for me to pay them back," Chief Foltz said. He also hopes to coach their sports teams in high school and teach them how to golf.

Although he is obviously excited to enjoy retired life, Chief Foltz looks back fondly on his three years as the wing's command chief. "It was an outstanding experience that I recommend to any chief who wants to make a difference for our Airmen wing- and Air Force-wide," he said.

"The best part of the job was getting things done for our Airmen that seemed impossible in their eyes, and seeing the end results of helping," Chief Foltz said.

Chief Foltz found great joy in helping others to succeed. Some of his most memorable moments include welcoming Airmen home from deployments and seeing the look in their eyes as they return from a job well done; putting stripes on at a promotion ceremony or congratulating students at a graduation and seeing their pride in accomplishment; and walking around the campus and having Airmen come up to him and know who he is and say "thank you." "Those are the memories you can't take away," he said.

Chief Foltz began his career as an OR surgical technician, open heart specialist, and never really imagined he would make it to where he did. His path led him to become a First Sergeant, during which time he was promoted to Senior and then Chief Master Sergeant.

"I've had a great career and since only one percent of the enlisted force makes it to chief, it was a goal I never really strived for--it just happened," he said. "But I have worked very hard and the Air Force recognized that. That says it all."

When asked what last wisdom he had to share with the Airmen before his departure, he said, "Brigadier General Robinson once told me, 'Take it one stripe at a time, bloom where you are planted, and don't believe everything written about you in your EPRs.' That says it all."

Lastly, Chief Foltz couldn't conclude without showing his appreciation, saying, "I want to thank Major General Kowalski for hiring me; I want to thank Brigadier General Robinson for not firing me; and I want to thank Colonel Hoffman for keeping me to the end. And a special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Kloiber--what you have done for the military does not go unnoticed."

The wing and community sends their thanks and best wishes to Chief Foltz and his family as they transition into the next phase of their lives together.