Gibbs assumes 121st command chief role

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wendy Kuhn
  • 121st Air Refueling Wing
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Gibbs became the 121st Air Refueling Wing's newest command chief at an assumption of command ceremony on June 11, 2016, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio.

As command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Gibbs is responsible for advising the commander on matters of mission effectiveness; readiness; training; and the health, morale and welfare of all 121 ARW enlisted members.

Gibbs is a native of Grove City, Ohio and enlisted in the Air National Guard as a traditional member in 1987 in order to help pay for college using the tuition assistance benefit.

"I came in with the idea that I would get my degree, complete my enlistment and then get out, but it turned into so much more than that," said Gibbs. "It's the camaraderie, the family and the relationships that come from everyone working toward one mission. It's infectious."

She graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Prior to being offered the job as command chief, Gibbs served as the Chief of Operations Compliance in the 121 ARW Logistics Readiness Squadron. Throughout her career, she has served on various deployments in locations such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

"I never in a million years would have thought I would have ended up here," said Gibbs. "But this is my chance to pay it forward. I've had many great mentors in my life and now I can hopefully be an inspiration to someone else."