The 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord Field announced this week its new command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Drake.

Drake takes over for Chief Master Sgt. Greg Warren, who is headed to RAF Mildenhall, England, to serve as the 100th Air Refueling Wing's Operations Group superintendent.

Drake's duties at McChord will include advising the commander and staff on matters of health, morale, welfare, training, professional development and utilization of enlisted Airmen. He is the adviser for more than 1,670 enlisted members serving the wing in support of worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift contingencies.

Drake, an Austin, Texas, native, enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in July 1983 and entered active duty in July 1986. Drake has an extensive background in fighter aircraft maintenance and has expertise on the F-4D, EF/F-111A, F-15E, F-16/C/D and A- 10A/C aircraft. He has held various leadership positions, including Aircraft Maintenance Unit and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent.

His previous assignment was at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., where he served as the Maintenance Group superintendent for the 57th Wing. Prior to that assignment, he was the maintenance superintendent for the 332nd EAMXS at Balad Air Base, Iraq.

Drake has supported and deployed in support of operations Desert Shield and Storm, Deny Flight, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

His commendations include the Airman's Medal Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Warren took time last week to reflect on his time at McChord before leaving.

"I was very excited about this assignment; I love everything about this place," he said in a story posted on the 62nd AW's website. "However, I was worried that the community might not be supportive of the military; I've totally been proven wrong on that front. The unbelievable support from the community has been one of the biggest blessings for my wife, Sheri, and I. And it was a complete surprise to me. That's why we're coming back to this community when I retire."

The chief also praised the evolutionary process of the joint base transition.

"The relationships that have been built across the installation are the cause for the success. There's no doubt in my mind," he said. "Organizations like BOSS, the Army Community Services and the Airmen and Family Readiness Center are very strong and willing to support. Our Airmen and their families are benefiting from that more so now than before we became a joint base. Relationships are everything. They are the reason for the success we've had and will be the reason for future successes. We need to continue looking at best practices and focusing on the positives."

(Information from a 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs story was used in this article.)