Scanlan takes on command chief position

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27th Special Operation Wing Public Affairs

Through the recent U.S. Air Force Command Chief Screening Board, Chief Master Sgt. Randy Scanlan was selected the 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, effective Oct. 21.

“Being selected as the command chief for the 27 SOW is not what I expected to do next in my career,” said Scanlan. “It was definitely humbling to be selected for the job. The best thing about this is the doors that will open—I will have access to a lot of new people and new ways to help airmen grow, and I look forward to utilizing a strong network of leaders to aid and develop Cannon’s Air Commandos.”

The chief has four main tenants to success for Cannon’s Air Commandos: uphold and live the Air Force core values; meet airmen’s needs as a servant leader; be loyal up, down and across the chain of command; and ensure Air Commando’s see consistent improvements in their quality of life.

Scanlan cited quality of life as a main priority in his new role, with the understanding that happy and healthy Air Commandos are the most mission-capable, which complements 27 SOW Commander Col. Tony Bauernfeind’s operational priorities.

“Servant leadership is how I work,” stated Scanlan, adding that the leadership style is consistent with Air Force Special Operations Command’s Commander Lt. General Bradley Heithold. “If you take care of your airmen, they will take care of the job.”

Scanlan has served mostly as an Air Commando, but worked briefly at the Air Force Personnel Center, where he learned unique lessons about the larger workings of the Air Force.

After nearly 10 years in maintenance followed by a career as an aerial gunner, Scanlan takes great pride in his 16-year AFSOC heritage.

“I came up the ranks in the 16th Special Operations Squadron,” said Scanlan. “It is a family and it is where I grew up into who I am today.”

“Growing up in AFSOC, you just get it,” he continued. “When you read the Airman’s Creed, you think ‘that’s me’. When you read what an Air Commando is, you think ‘that’s me’. Infusing this culture into every corner of AFSOC is very important to me — living your life by the Air Force core values is the key to success.”

Scanlan also looks to his predecessor, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson II, to define his own leadership style.

“On top of carrying on the quality of life initiatives Chief Henderson reinvigorated, I want to keep his patience; he was a patient and thorough leader,” Scanlan said.

Handling the changes in the evaluation and promotion process is a priority for Scanlan, who considers the new policy to be the Air Force’s best effort to create an environment for honest feedback, which in turn is designed to promote the right people.

“The word about these policy changes is getting out there; we need to embrace these changes,” he said. “It’s up to supervisors to define standards and define what you need to do to be a top-performing airman. And that’s all these changes are — making sure we have open, honest and frequent feedback.”

Scanlan believes in the skills, knowledge and resiliency of today’s Air Commandos, and is willing to do whatever it takes to serve their needs through upcoming transitions.

“I think this generation of Air Commandos has what it takes to get us through force management programs, and changes in the evaluation and promotion systems,” he said. “It’s our job as senior enlisted and officers to develop the airmen and get them ready to take on those responsibilities. If we do our job, we will be just fine; I have all the faith in the world in our commandos.”

That faith is what motivates Scanlan to serve Cannon’s Air Commandos along with the unique mission of the 27 SOW.

“It is completely humbling to be the command chief for some of the bravest men and women in the United States,” stated Scanlan. “This is the most humbling honor I could ever have. I am going to do the very best I can for the airmen here.”