Tina Long selected as Wing command chief Published Aug. 8, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Melba Koch 507th ARW Public Affairs Tinker AFB, Okla. -- The first traditional reservist and first enlisted person hired for the 513th ACG when the unit was operational has been selected as the first woman command chief for the 507th Air Refueling Wing. Senior Master Sgt. (chief select) Tina Long, operations superintendent for the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron, was selected for the position last month. She will assume the duties this month as Command Chief Joseph Tytanic retires. "Tina has been a top enlisted troop from the very beginning of this historic associate program and has provided unprecedented leadership throughout her years as a reservist," said Col. Gregory Phillips, 513th ACG commander. "Her dedication to duty and desire to serve is an inspiration to both subordinates and superiors alike and is one of the best SNCOs I have seen in my 30-plus year career." Long has been in the military a little over 20 years, with almost half of those years on active duty. "We all have our reasons for entering the military. My reasons were to serve my country, learn a trade, receive an education and see the world," said Long. "It all sounds fairly glamorous and so far it has been a tremendous ride. My military career wasn't necessarily planned but I've been fortunate to have been afforded assistance and guidance from family, friends, great supervisors and co-workers," she continued. "Through them I've gained the fortitude needed to continue down the path as a career Airman," Long said. Long served as an evaluator/instructor air surveillance technician with the 552nd Air Control Wing, here at Tinker. She was the first senior airman air surveillance technician assigned to the 966th AACS in the 552nd ACW history. In the reserve, Sergeant Long served as chief of surveillance for a little over three years, helping recruit surveillance crews for the first AFRC AWACS Associate Unit. For the next two-plus years she served as the 513th Air Control Group resource advisor, responsible for the management and tracking of an annual $16.7 million budget of four squadrons under the 513th ACG. She also was activated and deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey, providing Kosovo relief. For the next two years Long was chief of exercises and plans. She coordinated with supporting agencies for exercise planning and the execution of real world contingencies. Long deployed 254 days as first sergeant and senior surveillance technician for Operations NORTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. From 2003 to February 2006 Long was air battle management systems superintendent. She managed the squadron's largest section, ensuring compliance of all flying, simulator and ground training requirements. She was directly responsible for the collective completion of 950 ground training events for 38 air surveillance technicians. In March of this year Sergeant Long became the senior advisor to the 513th ACG commander concerning enlisted aircrew issues. "To serve as the 507th ARW command chief master sergeant would be the culmination of my career," said Sergeant Long before she was selected. "My initial response was 'wow' when the announcement was made, and then my head started racing with all of the things there are for me to do and learn in such a short period of time," said Long. "Chief Tytanic has such an amazing presence about him. I hope I can fill this position half as well as he has over the past two years. "I look forward to helping steer the ideals and values of the 507th, 513th, and 931st as well as working with Tinker IMAs. I have a strong desire to groom our force for the challenges of tomorrow," concluded Sergeant Long. Sergeant Long will pin on the rank of chief master sergeant on Sept. 1.