RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- On June 26, 2026, the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing welcomed its newest command chief, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chris Hucks.
While Hucks and his family are new to the command chief role, they are not new to the 435 AGOW. The then newly-minted Tech. Sgt. Hucks is a 435 AGOW plank owner when the unit was established in 2009.
Upon returning to the 435 AGOW, Hucks’ first impression was, “wow.”
“I saw how much the wing has grown and the mission has evolved,” he said. “It’s unreal the things we are doing across the geographic combatant commands in Europe and Africa and how we engage across the entire continuum.”
“There are so many units in the Air Force and the Department of War and to have the reputation as having the ability to execute the mission that we are called by-name to take on some of the most difficult tasks says a lot about our Airmen and our ability to succeed,” Hucks continued.
Hucks’ 26-year career has varied assignments across the communications career field, but also includes three staff positions, expeditionary, joint, and NATO.
Now in the seat, the chief has two goals.
“I want to continue to build relationships, not just in the Air Force, but with our joint partners as we continue to work across the continuum,” said Hucks. “I also want Airmen to continue to innovate new ways to execute the mission as we integrate modern technology.”
As the command chief, Hucks is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander, but he feels the position is more than being the highest pillar of enlisted leadership.
“I have the responsibility to take care of people, develop them, and improve quality-of-life resources,” he said.
Hucks also assumes responsibility for taking care of families.
“Families play a big part,” he said. “This wing is constantly on the go at a moment’s notice and we have responsibility to make sure they are well taken care of because if they’re not mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally all in, the mission can become a challenge.”
Hucks has first-hand experience being a family member of an Airman. His dad was an Air Force chief in the Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants career field who retired after 30 years as a squadron chief. Additionally, his brother was also a chief who retired from Air Force Installation Contracting Center after 20 years of service.
While his family never pressured him to become a chief, his father did pass along some advice.
“’Don’t compromise who you are, be fair and equitable, lead with humility, and work hard,’” are the words the eldest Chief Hucks passed to the youngest Chief Hucks.
Hucks explained that in addition to the three chiefs, his family has 100 years of military service.
Hucks plans to visit Airmen across the 435 AGOW to get to know them and their missions better.
“When I was here as an Airman with the 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron I was a member of the squadron’s first deployable JWICS (Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System) team,” said Hucks. “I’m excited to see how it’s evolved.”
“I also know how this wing creates so many opportunities for Airmen to do things in their career, as it did for mine,” he continued. “I’m beyond happy to be here and I look forward to getting to know everyone and do what I can to help.”