Chief Wicks retires after 30 years service

  • Published
  • By Airman Basic Evan Carter
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
After 30 years of service, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Wicks relinquished his position as the 36th Wing Command Chief in a retirement ceremony Wednesday at the Oceanview Conference Center. 

After his devout service to his country, Chief Wicks had a hard time saying goodbye.
"I look back on my career and think how things could have gone by so quickly," he said. "Some people want life to go by quickly. I don't want this moment to end." 

"For the past 30 years, the Air Force has been my life, and a superb life it has been," he added. "I would readily give my life for the flag and the ideals it represents and I would take the 30-year-walk of my career all over again if I could." 

During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Douglas Owens, 36th Wing Commander, expressed his gratitude for the chief's service. 

"The measure of an Airman starts with selflessness and grows with excellence and is based on integrity. Devotion, loyalty, dedication and humility go right with that," said General Owens. "The measure of an Airman is embodied in our core values. It goes far beyond what normal men and women think in terms of importance. For me, the measure of an Airman is Chief Master Sgt. Robert Wicks." 

"I am honored to have been the commander of such a fine Airman," added General Owens. "His unselfish and excellent service was full of integrity every step of the way."
During Chief Wicks 30-year career, he has accumulated numerous accomplishments and has seen countless assignments. Some of his assignments included the Pentagon; Regional Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe; Peterson Air Force Base, Col.; Holloman AFB, NM.; and Yokota AB, Japan. Over the course his career, he was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Achievement medal with two oak leaf clusters. 

Chief Wicks has served Team Andersen from May 2005 until May of 2007. During this time, he served as the principal adviser to the wing commander on all enlisted issues, keeping the commanders and senior leaders apprised of matters affecting the readiness, morale, utilization and welfare of the enlisted force. He presided over nine councils and was responsible for the completion of the Hot Spot, a place for Airmen to go have fun without drinking alcohol. 

During an emotional speech, Chief Wicks thanked God, his wife, parents, two sons and daughter and all his past supervisors and leaders for all the support and guidance they provided throughout his career. 

"There is a special and generous spirit within the Air Force family that's comprised of wonderful people who have tremendous challenges ahead," he said. "Supervisors and leaders need to grab sight of those things and be able to do their own jobs as well as the jobs of their Airmen. Our Airmen are counting on you, and I am charging you to keep the family alive." 

Before he was finished, the chief left all of Andersen with some of what he called 'Bob's B's.' 

With a serious look in his eyes and a stern voice, he charged all Airmen to be of integrity and character, be passionate, be genuine, be real, be alive and be accountable. 

Replacing Chief Wicks, is Chief Master Sgt. Saniford Andree. He comes from the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska. There he served as the operations group chief.