New MXG Commander shares career experience, goals Published July 10, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle 419th Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH -- -- Col. Stan Sheley assumed command of the 419th Maintenance Group June 14. I recently had the opportunity to talk with him about his Air Force career, his experience in the Air Force Reserve, and his goals for the maintenance group. Here's what he said: Q: How long have you been in the Air Force? A: I have been in for 23 years. I started active duty in 1986. Q: Why did you join the Air Force? A: Joining the Air Force was a way to get college paid for. I also thought I wanted to play football at the (Air Force) academy. My mother toured the Air Force Academy and was really impressed by the school and encouraged me to go there. Between the athletics, academics, and learning military knowledge, it was a challenging time, but it was mainly a time management issue. Q: What jobs have you had in the Air Force? A: Early in my career I was a plans officer and then a transportation officer. Then I became a maintenance squadron commander. From that point, I have been a maintenance group commander. Q: Tell us about your Air Force Reserve experience. A: After six years of active duty I spent another six years as a traditional reservist. I lived in Tuscon, Az., and flew to Travis Air Force Base, because that is where the closest job for me was. In 1998, I moved to Milwaukee to be chief of wing plans in an Air Reserve Technician slot and stayed for two-and-a-half years. My first time as a squadron commander was in maintenance at Wright Patterson AFB. There was a steep learning curve. Before I wasn't really sure if I would like maintenance, but on first experience I really loved being in maintenance. My next assignments were all as maintenance group commanders in Minneapolis, Kuwait, and Grissom AFB. Q: Explain the differences between being a squadron commander and a group commander. A: Being a squadron commander can be more challenging because you are dealing with a lot more personnel issues, discipline issues. Group commanders have to think more strategically and see the bigger picture. Also just going from different weapons systems will drive changes in the way we do things. Different bases had different aircraft - C-141, C-130, KC-135, and fighter jets all have different languages. Q: What are some of your goals as the maintenance group commander? A: I want to leave the unit better than what I found it, which might be difficult because this is a good unit to begin with. I want to make the 419th a relevant and valued partner with the 388th. Lastly, regardless of which direction the Air Force goes, I want to posture the group for long-term success.