OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb -- The 55th Wing held a change of responsibility ceremony July 23, 2024, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The change of responsibility ceremony is the first of its kind at the 55th Wing.
Col. Mark Howard, 55th Wing commander presided over the ceremony where Command Chief Master Sgt. Melissa Royster relinquished responsibility as the 55th Wing’s Senior Enlisted Leader and Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Small assumed responsibility of command chief duties.
“We can’t wait to work with him,” said Howard. “Are we ever going to have a great time this next year. We’re going to bring some heat to our adversaries and tell them ‘Hey. Not the time to mess with the Warhawks of the 55th Wing.’”
Small takes responsibility after serving as the Command Chief of the 557th Weather Wing. He advised the commander on all issues regarding health, welfare, morale, and effective utilization of more than 1,450 personnel serving at 19 locations around the world.
Chief Small grew up in Brooklyn, New York and entered the Air Force in 1998. His background includes various positions within the communications career field to include positions in the Network Control Center, Wing Information Assurance Office and within the Cyberspace Warfare Operations career field charged with delivering full spectrum cyber options for our Air Force and nation when tasked. His assignments include Maxwell AFB Alabama, Kadena AB Japan, Fort George G. Meade Maryland, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Hawaii.
"I am humbled, I am honored, and I am grateful to be the next command chief,” said Small. “There is no doubt in my mind that we are committed to win, and united to fight. To the men and women of Warhawk nation, I look forward to making sure we prepare, we adapt, and we execute within our assigned missions all while cultivating a strong foundational warfighter mindset for all Warhawks. And when we are successful, our adversaries will know and feel the might of America’s Fightin’ 55th.”
Throughout her career, Royster held a variety of leadership positions serving at the squadron, group, wing and major command levels. She is a graduate of the Air Force Wholesale Career Broadening Program, where she worked at the Defense Logistics Agency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her deployments include support to Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Enduring Freedom. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as the Command Chief of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
"I’m most grateful for the opportunity to meet and represent the Airmen of the Fightin’ 55th,” said Royster. “You are the lifeline to why the sun never sets. You tirelessly advance and sustain American airpower. During my time in this role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside exceptional, extremely smart Airmen and I’ve been consistently impressed by your unwavering dedication to the mission and our commitment to excellence.”
As the commander’s principal advisor, the 55th Wing Command Chief gives guidance and helps lead an organization of 7,700 personnel in six groups and 30 squadrons across nine garrison and abroad locations. They ensure the commander’s intent is understood and executed, while having responsibility for the readiness, morale and welfare, training, personal and professional development within the largest and most diverse wing in Air Combat Command. They provide senior enlisted leadership as the wing conducts worldwide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; electronic attack, command and control; presidential support; and treaty verification missions. They also have a responsibility to more than 50 partner units, including U.S. Strategic Command, 557th Weather Wing and 45,000 active-duty, civilians, family members and retirees.