30 years spent taking care of Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen, coworkers, family and friends of Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, 28th Bomb Wing command chief, gathered at the Dakota's Club, Dec. 3 to pay tribute and recognize him for his 30 years of service.

"Some leaders come and go," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Richard Ives, 28th Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "Not only did he always make a good impression, he made a difference in the lives of countless people he came in contact with."

Throughout his career, Chief Cole distinguished himself by not only earning the rank of chief master sergeant, but by being nominated and selected as a wing-level command chief.

"Everyone I talked to told me I couldn't pick anyone finer for my command chief than Chief Cole," said Brig. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 509th Bomb Wing commander, and former commander of the 28th BW. "When I spoke to him on the phone for the first time, it felt like I'd gone shopping to find that perfect pair of running shoes. I could tell from the first volley of conversation Chief Cole was the perfect fit. I hung up the phone knowing I'd found my new command chief."

Chief Cole's tenure as the 28th BW command chief earned him the respect of both the former wing commander, and the current 28th BW commander, Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro.

"Chief Cole's life and career is largely what America is all about," Colonel Taliaferro said. "He took advantage of the opportunities provided to him, and through hard work, discipline and attention to detail -- he excelled and built a tremendous career."

Those who knew Chief Cole during his career said they found him to be a man who lived by the Air Force Core Values and always put others ahead of himself.

"He was always humble," said Chief Master Sgt. Harold Clark Jr., 12th Air Force command chief. "He knew the stripe he wore as chief didn't belong to him, it belonged to his commander and to his Airmen. For Chief Cole, it was never about having arrived at the rank of chief master sergeant. He never used that last stripe as a roof to sit under and do nothing, he knew his work had just begun."

According to Chief Cole, the accolades associated with the rank of chief master sergeant were never his focus. His motivation, rather, was a strong desire to take care of Airmen, "with a capital A," said Chief Cole.

"We need to make sure we continue to do everything we can for our Airmen," Chief Cole said. "They trust you as leaders to do the right thing, and in life you can only trust one person one time. So, never break that trust -- because once it's gone, it's gone forever."

The trust and respect he earned throughout his career allowed him to develop and mentor countless Airmen throughout the years, who continue to hold him and the lessons he taught in the highest regard.

"He is a wingman, leader and warrior, but most of all, a friend," said Senior Master Sgt. Stacey Cole, Air Force Financial Services Center contact center superintendent.

After the celebration and ceremony was over, there was - as Chief Cole would often say, "just one thing." The legacy of a man who devoted his life to a cause greater than himself -- who was recognized and honored not only as a great leader, but an amazing human being.

That legacy, put in the simplest of terms: "Take care of your Airmen."