91st MW command chief stresses standards, mission focus

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Chief Master Sgt. John L. Hoffman, 91st Missile Wing command chief, talks with Senior Airman Steven Boatright, 91st Security Support Squadron armorer, about his duties in the armory here Aug. 11. Chief Hoffman has taken over the reigns as the new 91st MW command chief and has the welfare of his Airmen as a number one priority. The chief is visiting various units around base to get to know both the Rough Riders and Warbirds of Minot AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

91st MW command chief stresses standards, mission focus

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Chief Master Sgt. John L. Hoffman, 91st Missile Wing command chief, talks with Staff Sgt. Nakami Liddell, 5th Security Forces Squadron armory assistant noncommissioned officer-in-charge, about her duties in the armory here Aug. 11. Chief Hoffman has taken over the reigns as the new 91st MW command chief and has the welfare of his Airmen as a number one priority. The chief is visiting various units around base to get to know both the Rough Riders and Warbirds of Minot AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)

91st MW command chief stresses standards, mission focus

Published Aug. 11, 2010
By Maj. Shane Balken
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- One week into the job as the 91st Missile Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. John Hoffman has already narrowed his focus on one thing for the missile wing - mission success. Actually, this isn't really news. If you step back 26 years and look at Chief Hoffman's career, it's evident the Chief's focus has always been on mission success.

A career-long civil engineer, Chief Hoffman is putting his airborne and air assault ratings to good use as he hits the ground running here learning the mission and meeting the 91st MW Airmen. The chief's desire to be close to the fight has been a constant throughout his career. With numerous deployments and contingency war skills under his belt, the chief's experience has taken him to more than 45 countries, supporting wartime and humanitarian operations throughout the world. The chief said his time in several deployed and austere environments and honing his skills as a contingency engineer are what has paved and cemented his core beliefs as an Airman.

Self-described as 'hard-working, dedicated and no-nonsense,' Chief Hoffman said his number one goal is to help Colonel Fred Stoss, 91st MW commander, achieve mission success in the wing.

"I've always leaned toward deployments and 'going to war,'" the chief said. "My advice to any Airman is the most important thing, no matter what we do, is mission success."

"Since 1962, the 91st MW's 150 ICBMs have been on alert 24/7 in North Dakota protecting the U.S. from global nuclear attack," he continued. "Precision in dealing with nuclear weapons is a strict standard. The American citizens are depending on us to have 100% safe, secure and effective weapon systems. This perfect standard goes right down to everything we do, even our uniforms. We've got an important mission here and that's something I intend to keep our strict focus on."

In addition to Chief Hoffman's vast operations experience, he also brings knowledge of taking care of over 5,000 Airmen from his previous command chief position at the Aeronautical Systems Center and the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"My lane here is all-things Airman," he said. "Everything from PRP [Personnel Reliability Program], quality of life issues and professional development - all of these issues are essential in keeping our airmen focused on the task at hand. It's something I take very serious."

The Chief said he feels fortunate to be here.

"The older I get, the more I rely on faith," he continued. "I know this might sound a little hokey, but I've been blessed with a wonderful career. At this point in my career, my service is truly to whatever the Air Force needs."

"Prior to my selection for this assignment, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force stated his number one goal is to 'strengthen the nuclear enterprise,'" the chief added. "To me, there is no other assignment more important to our Air Force than this. It must be meant to be, that I've been assigned to serve our Airmen here."