Dobson Installed as Wing Command Chief
By TSgt Dan Heaton, 127th Wing Public Affairs
/ Published March 14, 2011
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Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski, commander, 127th Wing, returns the salute of Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dobson after Dobson formally assumes the role of command chief master sergeant of the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., March 12, 2011. The command chief master sergeant serves as a special advisor to the commander on all matters that pertain to the enlisted force. Some 1,400 enlisted Airmen serve in the 127th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)(RELEASED)
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Chief Master Sgt. Keith Edwards and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dobson exchange a handshake during the ceremony in which Edwards relinquished his position as the command chief master sergeant of the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, a role that is now held by Dobson. Edwards, who also retired in the ceremony, passed on his cell phone to Dobson during the ceremony, symbolizing the wing command chief’s responsibility to be a key advisor to the wing commander on all matters that pertain to the wing’s enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)(RELEASED)
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --
The 127th Wing has a new command chief master sergeant.
Chief Master Sgt. Robert Dobson assumed the duties of the wing's senior enlisted member during a formal ceremony during the March UTA of the wing. During the ceremony, the wing's outgoing command chief master sergeant, Keith Edwards, retired.
As the wing command chief, Dobson will serve as the primary advisor on all enlisted force issues for the wing commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski.
Dobson, who has served as the human resources advisor at Michigan National Guard state headquarters for the past several years, is a traditional member of the Guard who also has extensive experience in information technology and project management as a civilian. Peplinski said that type of experience, coupled with Dobson's military experience, will serve the wing well in the years ahead.
During his remarks in the formal ceremony, Dobson pledged to continue the work of continuously developing the skills and expertise of the wing's roughly 1,400 enlisted members.
"I promise to work with our commanders to continue to enhance the professionalism of the enlisted force to ensure mission success," Dobson said.
The new command chief will hold two enlisted calls during the April UTA to open a dialogue with enlisted members. Dobson said keeping communication flowing in both directions is critical to mission readiness.
Dobson served on active duty in the Air Force and as a member of the New York Air National Guard prior to becoming a member of the 127th Wing in 1996. He initially served in the wing in the information technology field before taking the wing human resources advisor position and then moving to state headquarters.
Peplinski also praised Edwards upon his retirement.
"You have left your finger prints on key issues that will be visible and from which the wing will continue to benefit for years to come," the general said.
Edwards, who also ceremoniously presented Dobson with his Blackberry device during his comments, encouraged the wing's Airmen to embrace the opportunities that service in the Air National Guard presents.
"It has been a unique opportunity and honor to serve as your command chief," he told the wing. "I encourage each of you to continue to strive for excellence, as you have been doing."