DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- The opportunity to develop Airmen and shape future leaders, brings chief master sergeant from Air Force Reserve Command to Duke Field.
Chief Master Sgt. Manuel Zubia, a native to the small town of Post, Texas recently took the role as the new 919th Special Operations Wing command chief.
“We are excited to have Chief Master Sgt. Zubia join the team,” said Col. Michael Lowe, 919th SOW vice commander. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead and grow members of the 919th.”
Zubia started in active duty as an aircraft armament systems Airman on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. After four years as a weapons troop specialist, he cross-trained into personnel with the Reserves, due to an Air Force retention program. It was a difficult decision for him because he loved working in the aircraft maintenance career field. However, he soon found working in personnel sparked a new interest.
As a Reserve personnelist, he gained the ability to relate to Airmen and their challenges in the status they serve in.
“I learned how serving our teammates makes a big difference in their quality of life,” said Zubia. “Anything I can do to improve the quality of life for our Airmen is always time well spent.”
Furthermore, he shared some of his philosophies and hobbies.
“First and foremost, I want to uphold and help enforce our command team’s mission, vision, and priorities,” said Zubia. “Achieving maximum readiness, promoting innovation, strengthening total force and community partnerships and emphasizing personal and professional development are priorities that can help us all be better Airmen.”
The new command chief shared what helps him stay resilient on the job most is spending time with his family, playing with a senior league baseball team, and learning new things.
“I kind of have an engineering mind,” said Zubia. “I like to take things apart and understand how it comes together and that applies to all things from what makes people successful, how processes work, to how mechanical equipment works.”
Zubia elaborated about his goals for 919th SOW going forward.
“I am excited to help maintain what our leadership has put in place; an environment for all our Citizen Airmen to be successful in their careers and resilient in their lives,” said Zubia. “I want to create an upbeat environment where Airmen feel empowered to succeed.”