315th AW welcomes new command chief Published Nov. 7, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Shane Ellis 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Chief Master Sgt. Gigi Manning exchanged a diamond for a star when she officially took the reins as the 315th Airlift Wing command chief master sergeant Monday, Nov. 1. The command chief is responsible for advising the commander on matters influencing the health, morale, and welfare of over 2500 reserve members, 20% of which have been on long term orders. During her 26-year career with the Air Force, Chief Manning has had many accomplishments. She completed the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy in 2003 at Maxwell - Gunter Annex, AL and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in 2009 from Limestone College, Gaffney, S.C. Chief Manning was deployed for six months to Afghanistan in March 2008 as the Chief Enlisted Manager of Detachments 1 & 2, 755 Air Expeditionary Group, Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, which further cemented her leadership skills. Col. Steven Chapman, commander of the 315 AW, selected Chief Manning out of numerous highly qualified and competitive candidates who he said represent themselves and the Air Force Reserve in outstanding fashion. Chief Manning has been a first sergeant for the past nine years which has included leadership roles with the 315 Maintenance Operations Flight/Maintenance Group and the 81 Aerial Port Squadron here. According to her, influencing and helping people as a command chief was the next obvious step in her Air Force career. "Being selected as command chief is an honor," said Chief Manning. "I would not be here today if I didn't have great people behind me who mentored me and saw something in me that gave them reasons to believe I would be an effective leader." As she moves forward, Chief Manning said she is a firm believer in growth, career progression and dedication to service. "As a leader, you must take advantage of every opportunity to grow," she said. "The Air Force continues to help me evolve personally and professionally, and I continue to grow in my commitment to the military and my country." Looking ahead, Chief Manning said it is a humbling opportunity to have such large-scale influence. "The Air Force Reserve is a great place to serve your country," she said. "I believe in our Airmen, and I welcome the opportunity to do what I can to help each Airman stay sharp, focused and committed to the daily missions that keep us free." Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook and Twitter.