Chief ends tenure as command's top enlisted leader Published Aug. 11, 2006 By Senior Master Sgt. Randy Phelps Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFSOC News Service) -- Chief Master Sgt. Howard "Jim" Mowry, Air Force Special Operations Command command chief, is retiring, capping 29 years of distinguished enlisted service. Chief Mowry took time out recently to reflect on the past and present Air Force and his time with Air Force Special Operations Command. There have been many changes to the Air Force since then-Airman Mowry joined just after the end of the Vietnam War in 1977. For one thing, the military wasn't very popular at that time, coming off an unpopular war, he said. "The Air Force has become much more professional over the years," Chief Mowry said. "It's grown in terms of technology and the ability to bring air power to bear on the battlefield. Pay and benefits are much better too. But, one thing that has remained standard is the pride and can-do attitude of our Airmen. You can talk to a services Airman working at billeting, a combat controller coming off the battlefield or a fighter pilot flying a multi-million dollar aircraft and they all think they have the best job in the Air Force. How do we do that?" He has several memories which have provided gratification over the years, many while serving with Air Force Special Operations. One is the dedication of the memorial in the foyer of the AFSOC headquarters building. "It's a visual, daily reminder that we have people giving the ultimate sacrifice," Chief Mowry said. He added that he's glad the memorial is there to remind all of the people working in the headquarters that they are responsible to make sure those folks in the field have all the tools they need to do their jobs. "Our Airmen are making a difference in people's lives everyday," he said. With a career that has spanned three decades; the Chief said the Air Force has met every expectation he began his career with and more. The Air Force has exceeded any expectations young Airman Mowry ever had, he said. "I never thought I was going to make senior master sergeant, much less make command chief master sergeant," he said. "I have one question I ask myself every morning when I look in the mirror. Do I really deserve to represent these warriors? That's kept me on the straight and narrow. It's kept me focused." Keeping focused is going to help the Chief decide what course to take in retirement, he said. He knows for sure whatever company or organization he does end up with will be values based and give him the continued opportunity to serve his country. His last piece of advice - "Keep focused on the war, on our Airmen and continue to deliver the world's greatest combat power."