New 'Liberando' Command Chief hits ground running

  • Published
  • By Maj. Damien Pickart
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyz Republic --  Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Soltis has hit the ground running as the new 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant - literally. Within 24 hours of stepping off the plane Sept. 27 to begin a one year deployment at Manas AB, the chief was already out for his first of many runs on Lisa's Lane, a running course here named for his predecessor, Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirios.

With less than a week on the ground and nearly 52 to go, Chief Soltis sat down for an interview to share with his fellow "Liberando" Airmen a little about himself and why he's excited to serve as their new command chief.

"Before I came to Manas, I heard this was an outstanding place to serve and after just a few days here, I have to disagree, because it's even better than they told me it would be, said Chief Soltis."

The chief was selected by Col. Christopher Bence, 376th AEW commander, to serve as the senior enlisted leader for the premier air mobility hub supporting operations in Afghanistan. The 28-year Air Force veteran's biography shows he is well suited for the demanding position and its responsibilities.

And it is a position he's familiar with, having just departed Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where he served as the command chief of the 412th Test Wing for the past two years.

When asked about what is important to him as the command chief, he explained his focus will be on the basics and the fundamentals every Airman learned in basic training.

"Those fundamentals are what I'll focus on," said Chief Soltis. "Basic training was designed to get someone through three years or three decades of service. The fundamentals taught there are enduring and can get an Airman through just about any challenge.

The chief pointed out that every Airman deployed or assigned here - whether for 30 days, four months or a year - should take advantage of the learning opportunities.

"When we deploy from home, we often find ourselves doing something unique and different and it provides a great growing opportunity," he said. "If you're in a different job, learn something from it that you can apply to your own self improvement and Air Force career. After 28 years in the Air Force, I still know I'm going to learn a lot while here. I even plan to take the time for some college courses and to learn a bit of Russian so I can get to know our gracious Kyrgyz hosts better."

The chief has learned a lot throughout his long career. He enlisted as a radar maintenance technician during President Carter's administration and spent his first few years at Lajes Field in the Azores. While there, he took it upon himself to learn to speak Portuguese.

"One word at a time is how I learned," said Chief Soltis. "When I went to the local orphanages there, I wanted to understand the concerns of the children. By the time I left, I had accomplished that goal and spoke fluent Portuguese. Since then, I've learned bits and pieces of many other languages as I've spent 25 of 28 years overseas."

One thing many Airmen might not suspect of a command chief is that Chief Soltis had no intention of remaining in the Air Force when he started and even separated once.

"I never even heard of the Air Force until I was 16 and working in a donut shop in southern California," he said. "When I finally joined four years later, I was only looking for a "six-month trial option." After five years and assignments at Lajes Field and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., I separated, but soon sorted things out and realized why I wanted to remain in the Air Force. I hopped on a flight back to Lajes Field and reenlisted in my civilian clothes in the Combined Base Personnel Operations Center. Nearly three decades later, here I am."

The chief pointed out that sometimes our wishes don't match what is best for us and that with time, we often realize that good things come out of unpleasant situations.

When I went back to the Azores all I wanted was to stay there the rest of my career," said Chief Soltis. "Then my commander said, "Sgt. Soltis, if I let you stay, you'll never make Chief - you have to go." For a long time, I was so angry at him for not letting me stay, but I realized with time that his making me leave was the best thing he could have done for me."

The best advice the chief has for Airmen deployed here is to keep their head up.

"Keep your heads up," he said. "We know why we need to be here and how important it is to never let another 9/11 happen. Keep focused on the mission, stay safe and look out for your fellow Airmen. Intervene and help if someone is having a difficult time. Most important, keep your head up and be proud of what you're doing for our nation."