SOUTHWEST ASIA - For nearly 30 years, Chief Master Sgt. Michael P. Sipps has used his small town values to steam down the track of success.
Now, the Air National Guardsman from the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is helping other Airmen to success in the deployed mission.
Sipps is the chief enlisted manager for the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron here.
"As the chief enlisted manager, I'm responsible for the overall care and management of all deployed enlisted members of the squadron," he said. "I'm also responsible to manage the transition during the rotations and to work with other units to ensure we have problem resolution for cross-unit issues."
The 380th ECS is responsible for all of the communications needs of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, including computer systems, cable television, network operations and more.
"Our unit provides all voice and data information technology services to our area of responsibility," Sipps said. "Communications is vitally important to ensure availability, integrity and confidentiality of all information on our information technology systems. These systems allow seamless communication over vast distances which the decision makers to have the data they need to adjust to this fluid environment. It can also shorten the time it takes to make those decisions saving American and our allies' lives."
Sipps said he has been in the military his entire adult life. "And would not want to have done it any other way," he said. "Being deployed is hard to leave your family behind in the states but that small sacrifice is worth the effort to protect and defend our great nation.
"I have seen many changes over my years of service and the burden on our Airmen is great or possibly greater than it has ever been. That being said, I am proud to stand beside these dedicated Airmen in the ECS, they are professional, committed and competent."