CMSgt. Roy Patterson assumes duty as 165AW Command Chief

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charles Delano
  • 165th Airlift Wing
Garden City, Ga. --  Chief Master Sgt. Roy Patterson was welcomed as the 165th Airlift Wing's newest Command Chief in a change-of-responsibility ceremony held November 2, 2013 at Savannah Air National Guard base in Garden City, Ga. Patterson replaced Chief Master Sgt. Hewshal S. Thornton who retired after a 38 year military career.

"Chief Patterson is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help develop enlisted members with supervision, training, and education at every level of the 165th Airlift Wing", said Thornton.

Patterson began his career in the Navy as a Interior Communication Electrician before serving in the Georgia Air National Guard. He has held numerous aircraft maintenance positions and was the Component Repair Flight Superintendent before being selected as the Wing's senior enlisted position.

"It is a privilege and honor to replace Chief Thornton as Command Chief of the 165th Airlift Wing. Over his six years as Command Chief, he built a strong and effective enlisted force capable of performing the mission of the wing. Chief Thornton lived the Air Force Core Values as Command Chief and continuously instilled these values on the enlisted men and women of the Wing", said Patterson.