While serving in law enforcement, and after serving on active duty in the Air Force for four years, the events of 9/11 made Chief Master Sergeant Tracy D. Cornett realize he still had more he wanted to give. So, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 2003, and today, he’s still serving, now as the 908th Airlift Wing’s Command Chief.
What are your primary duties in your position with the 908th? In my position as the Command Chief, I am the senior enlisted advisor and the Wing Commander’s critical link within the Wing for all matters concerning enlisted members and mission readiness. My responsibilities include serving as the commander’s advisor on personnel programs, career progression and development, Professional Military Education, recognition programs and any additional needs required by the commander. I also ensure Wing members are prepared to deploy and render the necessary leadership to provide and sustain a mission-ready enlisted force for the commander. I work closely with the Wing Commander to prepare the enlisted and officer corps to execute Air Force Reserve Command mission.
What is the mission of the 908th? The mission of the 908th Airlift Wing is to “Provide Combat Capability Anytime…Anywhere!”
How is the 908th’s mission unique among Montgomery’s large military presence? Our mission is unique due to the fact that we are the only Reserve Wing in the state of Alabama. We also are the only Wing in the state that provides tactical airlift to combatant commanders around the world.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work with the 908th? The most rewarding aspect of my job with the 908th Airlift Wing is two-fold. One is the personal satisfaction I get from serving our country, and the other is being able to work with some of the best airmen that serve in the Air Force.
What’s the main thing you’d like people to know about the 908th and the role it plays in our nation, state and in the River Region? The 908th Airlift Wing plays a very important part in our nation’s defense and national security strategy by providing tactical airlift to any place around the globe in 72 hours to ensure the security of our airmen and our citizens. We also play an important role in the state and the River Region in relation to our ability to bring in some of the most talented individuals to serve locally and globally. Additionally, our members bring not only military skill sets, but also their civilian skill sets, and that makes us a very valuable commodity to have here. Our members also contribute to the $2.6 billion economic impact the military brings to the region.
Any recent 908th news? The Secretary of the Air Force has announced the 908th Airlift Wing as the preferred location for the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter training unit for the Air Force, and we are currently involved in the largest deployment in the history of the 908th Airlift Wing.
What are your interests outside of work? I enjoy running, reading, fly fishing and completing small projects while I’m at home. I retired from law enforcement in North Carolina in 2017 after 25 years of service. I am married and have two children. One just recently got married while the other is a sophomore in college.
Hornets Do Fly
Recently, the 908th Airlift Wing worked with Alabama State University to place its university mascot — the hornet — on one of its planes as a visible way to recognize ASU for its contributions to the military community.
