New 58th SOW command chief looks to improve quality of life, training Published March 27, 2015 By Ryan Stark Nucleus writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Montgomery, the new command chief for the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland, says one of his top priorities is leading Airmen well and improving the skills of their supervisors. "We need to empower our enlisted supervisors to help Airmen, especially first-term Airmen, and improve their training," he said. Montgomery started working at the 58th on Jan. 26. Since then, he has identified professional development for the wing's enlisted Airmen as an important tool for improving Airmen's skills. "We keep putting teeth to these professional development courses they have to take, but we also need to give them time to get away from their jobs here to do them," Montgomery said. "We have to recognize the need and empower these Airmen to be more effective in their careers." Professional Military Education is an important part of an Airman's progress in the Air Force. The courses enable Airmen to get promotions and even determine whether a member can continue on his or her professional path and re-enlist at the end of a term, Montgomery pointed out. With that in mind, he is targeting a 90 percent completion rate for the wing's eligible enlisted Airmen within his first 12 months. Montgomery knows what it takes to have a successful career as an enlisted Airman. A native of Tennessee, Montgomery has served in the Air Force since 1989. He came to Kirtland after serving as command chief for the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Force Base in Japan. Previous postings include serving as superintendent for special operations units in Florida, North Carolina and the United Kingdom, as well as years spent as a C-130 flight engineer and a turbo propulsion specialist, among other assignments. Service in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn are all part of his résumé. He holds a master's degree from the University of West Florida, a bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an associate's degree from the Community College of the Air Force and has graduated numerous non-commissioned officers' academies and other Air Force courses. Montgomery's awards include being named Senior NCO of the Year at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2008 and 16th Operations Group First Sergeant of the Year in 2004, and he won the Air Force Special Operations Command's Fred Archer Award, among other accolades. He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and Air Force Combat Action Medal, among other decorations. He and his wife have been married for 27 years and have three children. One of their daughters is a member of the Air Force. The 58th SOW's numerous mission sets are a point of interest for Montgomery. "It's a very different environment here at Kirtland," he said. "What sets this place apart is the diversity. We're doing training for three different Air Force major commands." The 58th does air operations training and maintenance work at Kirtland. The 58th also engages in training outside of Kirtland, including survival, evasion, resistance and escape training, which is done at bases in Alaska and Washington state.