166th Airlift Wing Change of Authority ceremony for top enlisted leader

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NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Delaware --  A change of authority ceremony for the top enlisted leader at the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard will occur on Saturday, June 21 at 3:30 p.m., at 166th Airlift Wing Headquarters, 2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle, Del.

The outgoing command chief of the 166th Airlift Wing is Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Hank Rome, a resident of Hockessin, Del. He has served in this position since June 2011 and has 33 years of military service, to include 22 years' service in the Delaware ANG. He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, and deployed several times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom over the past decade. Chief Rome will remain in the wing full-time as the superintendent of the 166th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The incoming command chief of the 166th Airlift Wing is Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shaune Peters, a resident of North East, Md. Chief Peters entered the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware ANG in September 1989, enlisting in the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) as an aeromedical evacuation technician. She has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Deep Freeze.

Chief Peters is a graduate of the Air Force NCO Preparatory Course by correspondence, the 2001 Air Force NCO Academy by correspondence, the 2003 Air Force First Sergeant Academy, the 2004 Air Force Senior NCO Academy by correspondence, the 2007 Air Force Human Resource Advisor Orientation Course and the 2011 Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Executive Course, Arlington, Va. She received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Sciences from the Community College of the Air Force in 2012, and an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, Cecil College, Md. in 2014.

Chief Peters served from 1989 to 2007 as a flight medic, flight instructor and first sergeant in the 142nd AES. She was an alternate 201st First Sergeant at the National Guard Bureau in 2006, as well as the 1st Air Force. From 2007 to 2010 she was the Human Resource Advisor for the 166th Airlift Wing. In 2010 she returned to the 142nd AES, first serving as superintendent and flight instructor until 2011, then as chief of operations from 2011 to 2014. She was promoted to chief master sergeant in 2011.

"The leadership and dedication of our outgoing 166th Airlift Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Hank Rome, has helped maintain the strong unit pride and professionalism of our enlisted force of over 900 Airmen," said Air Force Col. Mike Feeley, commander, 166th Airlift Wing. "Chief Rome has heard and acted on the concerns of our enlisted force that perform the critical role of executing each mission. He has built on his strong ties to our Airmen earned by working alongside and deploying many times with them to combat zones over the past decade. During his tenure our people are continuing an over 50-year record of mishap-free flying operations, our retention rate remains high, our recruiting strength has reached the highest percentage since the unit's founding, and our Airmen remain well-prepared to serve state and nation. I am grateful for his hard work and his counsel, and wish him continued success as he continues serving in our wing.

"I am certain that our incoming wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Shaune Peters, will continue the strong lineage of enlisted leadership that has served me so well, as those leaders have served prior commanders. Having served together with Chief Peters in the 166th Operations Group, I know firsthand that she dynamically engages our Airmen and will bring out the best in them as they continue to serve state and nation."

High-resolution photos of the ceremony will be available for download after the event on http://www.166aw.ang.af.mil, the public website of the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard.

Members of the press, as well as invited elected officials and other invited guests may attend. This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written.

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