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AFMC’s command chief to retire after 30 years of service

  • Published
  • By Nicole Singer
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force Materiel Command's top enlisted member will close the book on his military career Feb. 1, exactly 30 years from the date he entered the Air Force delayed enlistment program.

Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan Hake, AFMC's command chief, will say goodbye during a retirement ceremony that will take place at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, will preside over the ceremony, scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

It culminates a self-described "great adventure" for the York, Penn., native, who enlisted in the Air Force at age 17 as a high school senior. But not before he was tempted by a life at sea.

"I was very close to enlisting in the Navy, because the recruiter thought I might be well-suited for its nuclear program," he said. "After I realized the vast majority of their nuclear weapons systems were submarines and I liked to run outdoors, I said no, walked right next door to the Air Force and joined."

Chief Hake began his Air Force career as a radio relay repairman at Bremerhaven AIN, Germany, and held several other overseas assignments, including Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Greece.

"I have had the good fortune of serving with many great people over the years and I have learned much from them," Chief Hake said. "For every award and achievement there was always someone or a group of people who helped me achieve it, it wasn't just me."

During his career he spent a total of nine years assigned with the White House Communications Agency, where he was given an insider's view on how government works.

"Those assignments helped me understand policy development," Chief Hake said, "I also learned about the contributions of other military services because I worked side by side with Soldiers, Sailors and Marines."

In September 1996 he was promoted to chief and three years later he was chosen to become command chief for the 11th Air Force at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

"In those days chiefs volunteered for a command chief position," Chief Hake said, "I had tossed my name in the hat for six previous positions, but never got the call."

When the initial call did come, Chief Hake said he thought he'd blown his chance.

"Lt. Gen. Tom Case, the 11th Air Force commander, called me right in the middle of an exercise," Chief Hake explained. "As luck would have it, we were in full chemical ensemble, so my initial conversation with him was succinct.

"After reporting for duty in Alaska, I found out that brief phone conversation helped me get the job because the general thought my priority was exactly where it needed to be, where I was at the time, rather than on where I might be next," Chief Hake said.

After Alaska, Chief Hake served as command chief for the 11th Wing at Bolling AFB, District of Columbia, before coming to AFMC in September 2004. Initially selected for the position by then AFMC commander Gen. Greg "Speedy" Martin, Chief Hake continued to advise General Carlson and senior staff on matters concerning the command's 14,400 enlisted Airmen and their families after General Carlson assumed command in August 2005.

"Right up front, I could tell that Chief Hake had an unwavering sense of integrity," General Carlson said. "With all the changes impacting our Airmen in the past few years, Chief Hake has been a steadying influence. The bottom line is I've always trusted his judgment."

Chief Hake said his time at AFMC taught him a lot.

"My time here has given me a great appreciation for our civilian workforce in the depots and our scientists in the research lab, who do things that most people will never hear about," Chief Hake said. "AFMC is a diverse command and I don't believe it is understood or appreciated as well as it should be."

With 30 years of Air Force experience, Chief Hake offered this advice for young Airmen.

"First, never forget that success is built on relationships," he said. "Second, the lessons learned in basic military training and reinforced throughout my career -- the value of teamwork, attention to detail and doing your absolute best every day -- are solid building blocks to achieving success."