21st Space Wing command chief retires after 29 years with 'no regrets'

Published Dec. 1, 2009
By Master Sgt. Ray Bowden
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It should come as no surprise to the men and women of the 21st Space Wing that its highest-ranking noncommissioned officer has not yet fully grasped that within a matter of days, he will retire after nearly 30 years of service. After all, the 21st SW command chief's reputation precedes him as a faithful warrior, servant, and someone who considers service to his country to be a sacred vocation.

"Those of us who continue to serve do so because it's a higher calling and because of those we are able to serve with on a day-to-day basis," said Chief Master Sgt. Tim Omdal.

Born in Burlington, Wash., Chief Omdal enlisted in the Air Force in 1980 and later that year, graduated basic military training and the Security Police Technical School, both held at Lackland AFB, Texas.

While Chief Omdal originally intended to serve one term of enlistment and use his security police experience to get a foot in the civilian law enforcement sector, his plans changed.

"I'd always wanted to be a police officer and knew it would be a great way to get experience, but the next thing I knew, the Air Force became my life," he said.

Instead of becoming a civilian police officer, although he did attain his Community College of the Air Force degree in Criminal Justice and later attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Chief Omdal rapidly ascended the enlisted ranks and was promoted to chief master sergeant in less time than most Airmen are first eligible to retire.

"I wanted to become a chief master sergeant so I could help people," he said. "I always told myself that if I were ever fortunate enough to become a chief, I wanted to be a chief who never forgot where they came from. I wanted to be a leader who could make a difference in people's lives."

Tech. Sgt. Tanisha Hunter, current assistant to the command chief and former wing command section noncommissioned officer in-charge, said Chief Omdal definitely has made a difference in teaching her to view the Air Force in terms of the "big picture."

"There's a lot to consider in terms of our contributions to the Air Force big picture: the Air Force mission, the Air Force family, our fellow Airmen, deployments, etc," she said. "Chief Omdal showed genuine concern for all of these elements, and showed on a daily basis how we can all contribute to maximize our individual potential and total force potential. If anything, he taught me how to be a full-spectrum Airman. Chief Omdal is the full spectrum Airman."

Brig. Gen. Jay Raymond, Air Force Space Command, served for two years as the 21st SW commander with Chief Omdal as his command chief. General Raymond said he considers the chief to be "the finest Airman" he's served with in his 25 year career.

"I was extremely lucky to have Chief Omdal as my command chief. As a leadership team, we were in lock step as we worked to carry out the wing's critical mission and take care of our Airmen," General Raymond said. "I am a better officer and leader for having served with him. Mollie and I wish Chief Omdal and his family the best in their retirement and look forward to their continued friendship."

Chief Omdal considers himself to be equally privileged to have served with who he calls three "great" wing commanders: Col. Stephen N. Whiting, current 21st SW commander, General Raymond, and Brig. Gen. Jay Santee.

"The relationship I developed with all three of my commanders is an association that few ever get the chance to have," said Chief Omdal. "They all gave me opportunities to serve and lead."

Colonel Whiting said the chief's pending retirement will be a sad day for the Air Force.

"He's been such a tremendous supporter of our Warrior Airmen and has had such an impact on the 21st Space Wing's unique mission that his absence will certainly be felt by all who had the honor of serving with him," said Colonel Whiting. "He's been an active wingman and leader who has been engaged at all levels and shaped much of our wing success over the last three years. I will miss his camaraderie and keen insight."

Chief Omdal said his experience as Peterson's top NCO made him realize how much the Air Force has changed in his three decades of service.

"One of the biggest changes I've seen during my career is the level of responsibility given to NCOs and Air Force supervisors," he said. "The increased responsibility our enlisted force has been allowed to take has grown tremendously."

Staff Sgt. Nichole Piazzo, former assistant to the command chief, described her time working for Chief Omdal as a period in which the command chief encouraged her to successfully tackle more responsibilities than she thought she was capable.

"He encouraged me to always live up to the responsibilities of being an Airman and taught me the importance of following up," she said. "He also taught me that being an Airman is not simply a job but a way of life; to enjoy what I do; and that everyone can learn from constructive criticism," she said. "I'm very hard-headed but the chief led by example and showed me that we can all learn from anyone, regardless of rank or position."

The chief also noted what he called phenomenal changes in the Air Force's various support programs.

"The mechanisms the Air Force now offers to Airmen, their families, and their children are phenomenal. The programs we provide are amazing," he said. "I don't think we'll ever find another opportunity to serve with people who can stay focused on the mission while at the same time taking such good care of each other."

According to the chief, one specific program that has grown by leaps and bounds is the Air Force's sponsor program.

"I flew to my first assignment at Templehof Central Airport, West Berlin, and arrived without a sponsor," he said. "There I was in a foreign country, I didn't speak the language, and I had figure out how I was going to get to the base. When I eventually got to the base and checked into lodging, I was woken-up by sirens at 2 in the morning. Remember - this is 1981: the German Wall was up, there were sirens going off at 2 a.m. - who knew what was happening? We've come a very long way since those days."

While Chief Omdal said he cherishes his command chief experience, he occasionally ponders what it may have been like to end his career while still serving in the security forces.

"I love security forces," he said. "In the Air Force, it was my first love and it's why I came into the Air Force. I served as a defender for 26 years. My last act as a security forces Airman before serving as Peterson's command chief was to deploy to Camp Bucca."

Some of the security forces positions held by Chief Omdal were personnel reliability program monitor and quality control evaluator, 501st Security Police Group, Royal Air Force Greenham Common, United Kingdom; Superintendent of Current Operations, Langley AFB, Va.; and security forces manager at Aviano Air Base Italy and Security Forces Manager for the 886th Expeditionary SFS, Camp Bucca, Iraq, the largest forward-deployed security forces squadron in the Air Force.

Peterson Airmen should not be surprised to see Chief Omdal after his retirement as he intends to remain in the Colorado Springs area and stay connected to his favorite military service.

"Cathy and I absolutely see ourselves being tied to the United States Air Force in some way," he said. "It has been our life for 29 years and we love it. I've had some great adventures in my years and the Airmen I have had the opportunity to serve alongside are second to none. What the Air Force has done for me and my family is incredible. I have no regrets."

Chief Omdal's retirement dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, at The Club Ballroom; his retirement ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., Dec. 11, at The Club. All Peterson Airmen and civilians are welcome to attend.

Command Chief

COmmand Chief

21st Space Wing command chief retires after 29 years with 'no regrets'