Chief Hornback ready to turn the page

by Airman 1st Class Joseph Raatz
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

2/14/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- For many servicemembers, retirement is a time for reflection on their long careers.

After 29 years of service, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback looks back at his time at Air Force Global Strike Command with a smile on his face.

"I had the best job in the world," Hornback said. "I got to go out and fly in the Hueys across the northern plains, and then I'm 100 feet underground working on missiles with the guys. The next time I'm belly-down in the dirt, firing weapons with Security Forces, and blowing stuff up with Explosive Ordinance Disposal, and putting out fires with the fire department and serving food at the dining facility. I mean, holy cow, I got paid to do that."

Hornback's final assignment was as AFGSC's command chief master sergeant. This position capped-off a long and decorated Air Force career that included more than a dozen assignments and multiple deployments.

Prior to his final posting, Hornback was command chief master sergeant of 8th Air Force and was highly involved in the establishment of AFGSC in 2009.

"I've been around the command since it stood up," Hornback said. "Since then, I've seen the understanding of the missile world by the bomber forces, and vice versa, make a lot of headway. That's something that didn't happen in the past.

"What really stands out for me, looking at it now, is that today in AFGSC, more than half of our Airmen don't know an Air Force without Global Strike Command," Hornback continued. "We've been around long enough now that to the Airmen of the command, it's always been there for them. I think that will go a long way in establishing and reaffirming the culture that we've been trying to work towards."

Over the years, Hornback said, he has learned a few important life lessons.

"I say it all the time: attitude is everything," Hornback said. "It's that simple. Henry Ford said it best, 'Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.' Either way, it's all about attitude."

A good attitude and a positive outlook are what have enabled his career to take the course it has, Hornback said.

"If I had to sum up my Air Force experience in three words, and this goes for my advice to Airmen too, it would be 'just say yes,'" Hornback said. "Yes is the hardest word to say because it requires something of you. If you say no, well then that's it, things stop right there. But when you say yes, you open up a world of possibilities. And that's how you grow as a professional, and as a person, by giving yourself those opportunities. That's when you leave the Air Force with one word: wow."

Hornback was succeeded as command chief master sergeant of AFGSC by Chief Master Sgt. Terry West.

Hornback will remain close to Barksdale for now, he said. He has been offered a job which will allow him and his family to continue living in the local area as he makes the transition from military life to being a civilian.

"It's been one hell of a ride," Hornback said. "I'm ready for the next chapter."