Incirlik's newest team member to lead, serve

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman William A. O'Brien
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In the 20th year of his Air Force career, with experience flying various aircraft and several deployments, his most recent as a vice commander, Col. Christopher E. Craige, took command of the 39th Air Base Wing Aug. 25.

"Becoming a wing commander is an exciting, humbling and great opportunity. I use the word 'exciting' because to me, wing command is one of the pinnacles for the Air Force. It represents what the Air Force is all about," said Craige. "The wing unit structures so many activities; to be able to be in command of all that is a great honor that comes with a lot of responsibility, and it is a great position for me to be able to turn around and serve Airmen."

In the 1990s, Craige deployed here in support of Operation Northern Watch. He said of his time here, the fondest memories include soaking up the local culture, and he is excited to now share that experience with his family.

"For Incirlik, I would say the hospitality of the host nation is what stands out ... I had positive interaction with the host nation," said Craige. "There are some places you deploy where you would never want to take your family, but Turkey was a place I could imagine bringing my family."

"When my family first found out about Turkey, they were excited about the opportunity to travel and live overseas again; and with the age of my kids, right now is the perfect age to experience an overseas assignment," said Craige. "When I think of Turkey, I think there's something always going on, and the host nation's great partnership. That's what I remember most from past assignments here and the reputation the base has."

Craige was raised around former service members who inspired him to walk in their boots.

"I grew up around a lot of veterans; World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans and Korean War veterans and I felt it was my duty to serve," he explained. "I applied to the Air Force Academy, which was a great opportunity and from there it's been off to the races."

Craige graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in political science and put on his bronze bars May 1991.

Throughout his career, Craige has worked with leaders that possessed various styles of leadership. From that he has established his own unique way to lead.

"All the great folks I've worked with, both subordinates and superiors, have influenced me," said Craige. "Every assignment you go to has influence and brings perspective. You'll watch your leaders and figure out what you like about what they did and you see some things where you think 'I might do that a little bit differently when I'm in that leadership position.' You watch each one and gauge them as you go."

Craige looks forward to meeting with Airmen across Team Incirlik to witness what they contribute each day. He also hopes to continue to make Incirlik a base where Airmen enjoy being stationed.

"Like any assignment or any command, the focus ends up being on the mission and people. For the mission, it's about getting the J-O-B done and doing that effectively, efficiently and the best we can," said Craige. "I'm hoping to accomplish absolute mission effectiveness."

The commander hopes to ensure "our folks have a sense of community here. So the men and women of (Incirlik) feel like they are part of a community when they show up here, whether they come on a 15-month rotation or a 24-mouth accompanied tour, that they feel like they're part of a family," he said.

As the 39th ABW commander, Craige said it is his responsibility to take care of the Airmen who accomplish the mission here.

"I want Airmen to know I'm 100 percent committed to serving them ... I look forward to working with them and for them over the next two years," said Craige. "I'm excited to be here and my family is excited to be here."