Niagara offers chief opportunity while he returns the favor

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Prior to retiring in May, 328th Airlift Squadron Chief Flight Engineer Chief Master Sgt. Jack Webster stated that when he was a Senior Master Sgt., Niagara gave him the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue the rank of Chief Master Sgt.

When Webster came here to become the chief flight engineer, he brought a wealth of technical savvy, as well as an indispensable desire to guide younger Airmen to do the right thing.

Before being stationed at Niagara Falls, Webster was at 22nd Air Force for 13 years.

"22nd Air Force gave me the most exposure, as I was Standards and Evaluation," said Webster.

At that time, then Senior Master Sgt. Webster dealt with 13 installations and oversaw training of approximately 1,000 Airmen.

"I went to every base, flew with them--I flew with Niagara many years ago... that's how I met many of these guys before I came here, " said Webster.

Airmen who worked with Webster said the fact he came from a headquarters unit to a wing-level flying unit was of great benefit as he brought a vast knowledge of the system to Niagara.

"He was instrumental coming here as an outsider," said Senior Master Sgt. Tom Boyer, a 328th airlift squadron flight engineer instructor.

Webster said he shares his experience with everyone he comes into contact with, whether it is administrative troops, loadmasters or pilots.

"I was able to bring that outside knowledge and that was the biggest part of coming to Niagara," said the Chief.

Boyer stated that when he or his Airmen had a question about their duties, they didn't have to go too far to find the solution because Webster had it.

"He is a great source of knowledge, especially the command information--when we had a problem, he had the answer because he's already been there," said Boyer.

Keeping to the motto of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it," Webster said when he became a Chief Master Sgt. he observed what was happening at his new home at Niagara.

"I didn't throw my weight around... I figured out where I could help. That's what I'd like to see all people do," he emphasized. "When a new leader comes in to the picture, they need to better their followers."

As a chief, you don't have one job. You're a chief of a building, of a group--that's what I've loved so much about this job, said Webster.

One of the duties of a chief is leading younger troops.

"Mentorship is big for me," said Webster. "One example is being fit to fight."

Recently, Webster said he was overseeing the physical training test. He said he noticed a young Airman who was having trouble with the run.

"I went over to her and said 'Let's go!'" he said. "I ran with her the last quarter-mile and I want people to understand: that's what you do."

Webster said he saw other Airmen finishing up their runs, then turn back to motivate their comrades behind them.

"That's what I want from everybody, to help each other," said Webster. "This is not a one-man operation; this is a great group and the group needs to work together to maintain and survive."

As Webster retires from the U.S. Air Force with 38 years of service, the people who he has honed and guided to being better Airmen valued his leadership.

"He had to make his own path and we all appreciated working with him," said Boyer.