Team Dover welcomes new command chief

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Jenne
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green joined Team Dover’s 436th Airlift Wing March 26, when he assumed the command chief position. As such, he serves as the senior enlisted member on the installation and represents the needs of the enlisted force.

Originally an aircraft maintainer, Green has served in several commands including most recently Air Force Special Operations Command.

Seeing his above average height and rugged build, it’s easy to see how he would fit in with the stereotypical image of an operator. One might even assume his previous assignment to AFSOC was for more than just maintenance and leadership.

After speaking with him for a few minutes, his soft-spoken demeanor, George Bush-esq southern drawl, and the overall ease with which he converses, that image of a rugged operator softens slightly.

“I want to make sure I don’t send the message that I’m some door-kicker; I’m not,” Green said with a smile. “I was a maintenance guy immersed in AFSOC, but I have been able to see a lot of the operations downrange, and now I’m able to tie that bridge of what [Air Mobility Command] is able to provide and see how we deliver excellence downrange. It’s a great opportunity for me, and I hope I can bring some of my experience to the Airmen here at Dover [AFB].”

Hailing from Two Egg, Florida, a small unincorporated community in Jackson County just outside of Tallahassee, Green moved to the city of Bristol in Liberty County at a young age.

In school, he played several sports including football, baseball and basketball.

When hopes for a football scholarship didn’t pan out, Green said he followed his second passion, a career in the Air Force.

His father served in the Army, so the military lifestyle appealed to him, and when he saw a C-130 flying overhead, he knew he wanted to fly on one.

“I thought it would be cool to be able to travel around the world, to be able to be part of something bigger than my little community,” Green explained. “I thrive in the team atmosphere. That’s something you get in the Air Force that you don’t get in the civilian force. You’re able to hold each other accountable for what you’re doing, and you can go a lot further as a team. I learned that playing football.”

His first assignment was to Pope Field, North Carolina, where he worked in the C-130 Isochronal Inspection Dock. Back then, the ISO inspection process took 10 days, much shorter than the current inspection process conducted at Dover AFB’s C-5 ISO Dock, which takes about 60 days.

Green said he then moved to Germany where he became a flying crew chief, probably his most fun job. He enjoyed the autonomy of flying with the aircraft and crew and the responsibility of ensuring a safe and reliable aircraft.

There he also served as a Field Training Detachment instructor. Initially, the opportunity, which would allow three more years in Germany, ended up shaping his career. He realized for the first time that he enjoyed teaching and having a hand in Airmen’s careers.

He was then assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, which specializes in foreign internal defense. There he trained partner nations to maintain their aircraft and support Special Operations Forces troop movements. This assignment came with unforeseen challenges and rewards.

“I remember thinking, man, I’m a C-130 mechanic going through Arabic school,” Green said. “I barely can’t speak English with my strong southern accent, and here I am learning Arabic, but it paid off. Some of the jobs we did there were very significant, and I think the most memorable moment there was being able to integrate one of our partner nations into the fight in Afghanistan.”

These unique and varied experiences gained from 23 years of military service helped him during the command chief selection process, and he’s excited to serve for the first time as a command chief at Dover AFB.

“Col. [Ethan Griffin, 436th AW commander] told me that a lot of people come here to cut their teeth on their professions,” Green said. “We get a lot of young people here at Dover. I like that, because I’m also a brand new command chief, so in a way, I’m coming here to cut my teeth too.”

While this is his first assignment as a command chief, Green is bringing with him a unique experience achieved through years of joint service.

“One of the things I want to do here is focus on joint development,” Green said. “I have a lot of experience in the joint world. The chief of staff of the Air Force and chief master sergeant of the Air Force both want to focus on developing joint leaders, so if I can do anything from my experience, I think Dover will really benefit.

“It’s easy to stay inside your own little bubble, but everything we do has a lot bigger picture, and there are a lot of other moving parts,” Green added. “The reason I like the joint world is because it doesn’t matter if you’re turning a wrench on the flightline or if you’re cleaning teeth in the dental clinic, if you understand what you’re doing and how it’s affecting the operations downrange, it keeps you motivated.”

To Green, this is an extremely important message for the Airmen of Dover, home to the Super Port, the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port, which is responsible for nearly all cargo transport to and from the Middle East.

“I’ll try to help tie operational experience into what we’re doing here in Dover, and the truth is it’s everything,” Green said. “I can link Dover to almost everything we’re doing strategically. We have national strategic impacts around the world from this hub on the East Coast of the United States.”

This mission keeps the base busy, and military demands around the world directly correlate with Team Dover’s workload.

Green said he was impressed by the warm greetings from base personnel and the community upon his arrival, and despite the high operations tempo, the “Dover Family” is keeping their heads held high.

“If I had a message to the Airmen, it would be to continue with this Dover experience. Don’t allow yourself to get tied up with the daily grind. Get out and enjoy the stuff we have here with the time you’ve got. The mission is going to happen, and we’re going to be a part of it. It’s not going to slow down, and it’s probably going to continue to increase over the next couple years. If you don’t take the time to get out and enjoy the position you’re put in with life right now, you’re going to miss out. You’re going to miss out on the Dover experience, so take pride in what we have.”