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Command Chief Master Sgt. Petzel assumes post at 18th AF

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • 18th Air Force Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Chief Master Sgt. Todd Petzel officially assumed his post as Command Chief of 18th Air Force Dec. 18.

Petzel succeeds Chief Master Sgt. Rob Rodewald, who retired from the Air Force on the same day.

Petzel comes to 18th AF from the Pentagon where he served as Chief, Air Force Chief's Group, since 2014.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Petzel joined the Air Force in 1989 as an inventory management specialist. He has since served in a variety of joint special operations material management positions, is a cut-trained joint special operations radio operator and has served as a joint unit Air Force senior enlisted advisor.  His assignments include bases in Italy, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland and Washington, D.C., with numerous deployments with U.S. Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Task Forces supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Petzel said he's looking forward to rejoining the Air Mobility Enterprise again and working with the Airmen of 18th AF.

"Coming back to AMC and 18th Air Force is like rejoining family, a family with the awesome responsibility of providing rapid global mobility...Air Power, anywhere in the world and at a moment's notice," Petzel said. "It's good to be home."

Petzel brings a significant amount of Air Force and joint leadership experience to the command. He said his command philosophy can be summed up with two words: "Have fun."

"Have fun, while keeping in mind service in the Profession of Arms is a calling accompanied by high-standards and a commitment to our Air Force core values," he said.  "We must strive to be the best possible Airman we can be every day, while raising the horsepower of each and every Airman we serve and fostering a culture and climate where our Airman can reach their maximum potential."

As the command chief, Petzel serves as the primary advisor to the commander on matters concerning the mission effectiveness, readiness, training, health, welfare and morale of 39,000 total force personnel assigned to the command's 11 wings, the 618th Air Operations Center, and two stand-alone groups supporting over 1,100 operational aircraft.