Getting to know your new command chief

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Chief Master Sgt. Timothy B. Horn, 22nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, arrived at McConnell AFB, Kan., March 18, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Chief Horn takes over as McConnell's command chief from retired Chief Master Sgt. James Morman, who held the interim position awaiting his arrival.

What do you hope to accomplish as Command Chief?
I hope to support the men and women of Team McConnell to the best of my ability. It's not so much about what I hope to accomplish... it's about helping others in achieving their accomplishments. It's that simple.

What is the best leadership advice you have to offer?
The Air Force Core Values are not just something you memorize for promotion testing. If you embrace these values and fold them in to your daily actions, you will be on the right path to true leadership.

What is the best leadership advice you have ever received?
Sometimes it's not about the best advice, but the advice that best applies to your current situation. The words of a good friend and fellow chief come to mind: "Learn to be proud and humble at the same time." Those words are particularly important to me right now. I am proud. But I am also humbled every day by our amazing Airmen.

Through the Wounded Warrior Project, I had the opportunity to meet Staff Sgt. Matthew Slaydon, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., who lost an eye and arm from an improvised explosive device. It wasn't his wounds that made an impression on me; it was his determination and positive attitude in the face of adversity that hit me straight in the gut. I am truly humbled by this amazing young man - there is something to be learned from meeting people like Sergeant Slaydon.

It's a balancing act: be proud of who you are and what you do, but don't forget to put everything in perspective. It takes a lot of awesome Airmen to make this the best Air Force in the world.