2/23/2011 - 2/13/2011 -- The D.C. Air National Guard promoted three

of its members to the rank ofchief master sergeant at Joint Base Andrews

during their February Unit Training Assembly.

Chief Master Sgts. Louis R. Keeler, Kevin W. Kling and James T. Mathews, of

the 113 Maintenance Squadrons, were officially promoted to chief master

sergeant in a single ceremony in the 113th Maintenance Group hangar. The

afternoon ceremony was attended by about 120 D.C. Air Guard members and

their families.

Together, they bring more than seventy years of experience with them,

"The fact that the three of us, who have worked together before, all made

chief at the same time is significant," said Chief Mathews. "Standing

together on stage, we are able to demonstrate a united enlisted leadership

front that speaks with one voice and one commitment: to advance the mission

and goals of the 113th Maintenance Group."

Chief Kling was pinned by his two children, 2nd Lt. Adam Kling and Airman

1st Class Jenna Kling. Later during the ceremony Chief Kling presented Lt

Kling, with his first Chief's coin. Chief Kling, joined the DCANG in 2000 as

a member of the Aerospace Ground Equipment shop. Between his active duty and

reserve time, Chief Kling has more than 25 years of military service.

"I have really enjoyed my military career," said Chief Kling. "I never

dreamed I would have stayed in for so many years, let alone achieve the rank

of chief master sergeant. I have enjoyed working with the folks throughout

the DCANG and I feel that our unit really came together during/after our

activation for deployment in 2003."

Chief Keeler, 113 Equipment Maintenance Flight Superintendent, was pinned by

his two sons Jonathon and Zachary, he also recognized his wife's sacrifice

while he was deployed.

During the ceremony Lt. Col. Marshall S. Glasser, 113MXS Commander described

the three Chiefs as the embodiment of the Air Force's Core Values and

highlighted their contributions to the unit, and the DCANG.

"Being promoted to chief master sergeant is no easy feat, and is the

pinnacle of any enlisted career," said Lt. Col. Glasser. "Only two percent

of the enlisted force ever makes it to this rank."

The Wing's current chiefs were all present to offer support and

encouragement to the three new chiefs. There was the ceremonial lighting of

the candles, where a candle was lit to symbolize each promotee's rank

progression. The candles were then extinguished, in the order they were lit,

leaving the one candle: that of the chief master sergeant.

"Having my family and my civilian employers at the event was uplifting to

say the least," Chief Mathews added. "As traditional guardsmen, we are

usually just 'gone' insofar as our families and civilian colleagues see it.

For all they know, we're off sitting on a beach sipping Coronas. Having them

there, with all the jets as well as the troops and leadership gathered

around in support, affords them the opportunity to see the context of our

military duties and to better understand the importance and value of the

work we do."