PACAF command chief says 'Aloha' to Airmen Published Oct. 6, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Kamaile Chan Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Change is in the air at Pacific Air Forces as Chief Master Sergeant Harold L. “Buddy” Hutchison, PACAF command chief, is preparing to say “aloha” to PACAF and “hello” to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, where he will lead the command's enlisted force as the senior enlisted leader. Since he arrived at PACAF in 2014, Hutchison has advised PACAF leaders on enlisted matters for the command's 46,000 total-force Airmen. While visiting with Airmen throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, he has heard amazing stories from the field and has tried his best to be more than just “a picture on the wall” by seeking opportunities to meet with and get to know the Airmen he has led. “I have witnessed firsthand the great work PACAF Airmen are accomplishing,” said Hutchison. “Thankfully, I was able to get out from behind my desk, meeting face-to-face with Airmen and hearing their Air Force stories, their frustrations, their challenges and seeing their successes and it was an honor to do be able to do that.” Prior to his departure, Chief had these words to share with the Airmen of PACAF: 1. Continue to be innovative. “PACAF Airmen are doing amazing things across the AOR,” said Hutchison. “In today's fiscally constrained environment, it's difficult to balance the wants and needs of the Airmen, but they certainly do rise up to the occasion; getting the mission done and getting it done well.” 2. Trust in your leadership. With all of the current and future changes in today's Air Force from force management to the new enlisted performance report and rating system--fear and uncertainty are commonplace. "You must trust your leadership to make the best decisions. It may not always seem like it, but they do have your best interests at heart when implementing all of these changes,” said Hutchison. 3. Take care of yourself and your wingmen. “The challenges in the Air Force, and especially in the Pacific region are many, but you should make the time to take care of yourself by exercising, eating right, and doing what you love to recharge your mental batteries,” Chief said. “And don't forget about the Airman to your left or right; don't be afraid to step in if you sense that something is not right...be honest with them and hold them accountable. If you really care for someone, you will do what is best for them.” “Finally, focus your efforts on being the best at what you do every single day,” Hutchison said. “It was an honor to serve the Airmen of PACAF. Continue to do what you do; success is inevitable.”