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62nd AW welcomes new command chief at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 62nd Airlift Wing's new command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Drake, joined the team April 12. Drake takes over for Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Warren who is heading to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, to serve as the 100th Air Refueling Wing's Operations Group superintendent.

As the command chief, Drake advises more than 1,670 enlisted Airmen serving the 62nd AW in support of worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift contingencies. He is responsible for advising the commander and staff on matters of health, morale, welfare, training, professional development and utilization of enlisted Airmen.

He travels to McChord Field from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., where he served as the maintenance group superintendent for the 57th Wing. Prior to that assignment, he was the maintenance superintendent for the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq.

Drake originally hails from Austin, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in July 1983 and entered active duty in July 1986.

Fulfilling a number of leadership positions throughout his career, Drake has served as an aircraft maintenance unit and aircraft maintenance squadron superintendent. He also has an extensive background in fighter aircraft maintenance with experience on the F-4D, EF/F-111A, F-15E, F-16/C/D and A-10A/C aircraft.

Drake has supported and deployed in support of operations Desert Shield and Storm, Deny Flight, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

His awards include the Airman's Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

"I've been trying to get an assignment to the Pacific Northwest my entire career," said Drake. "I'm very excited to be here and to be handpicked for the command chief position is a blessing. I'm looking forward to being the 62nd AW command chief."