Chief Carbin moves up to top enlisted wing billet Published April 17, 2014 By SrA. Alexander Brown 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- During a March 8 change of responsibility ceremony, the Patriot Wing's top enlisted billet became a 32-year Air Force veteran's new title. CMSgt. Michael Thorpe, former wing command chief and now 22nd Air Force Command Chief, delivered a farewell message to the 439th. Having served at Westover since first joining the 439th Security Forces Squadron in 1988, the chief thanked his family for their support, then addressed the Patriot Wing. "You are what makes this nation great," CMSgt. Thorpe said. Within seconds of saluting Brig. Gen. Steven Vautrain, 439th Airlift Wing commander, the wing's new command chief came down from the stage. CMSgt. David Carbin spoke at eye-level with his audience, which included his family, co- workers and fellow Airmen. "Without this group of people I would never be here today," he said. He first joined the Air Force in 1982, and has been a reservist since 1988. The chief has earned 13 different awards and decorations, held a long tenure as the 439th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and was the Westover Chiefs' Council president four years in a row. "I want to make sure the enlisted force have the tools necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow," CMSgt. Carbin said. "I have to give you those tools." The command chief also took advantage of the occasion with a large Westover audience to mention the upcoming annual enlisted workshop. "I want to make sure you understand this is a good program," he said. "This year we're changing things a little more ... we have people working hard on this and they're living up to the workshop's theme, 'Building Bridges.'" EDITORS NOTE: The workshop will be held June 9-10. For more information on CMSgt. Carbin, visit westover.afrc.af.mil/ library/biographies.