New Command Chief
Story by SrA Angela Bergesen; Photos Courtesy WA ANG - Posted Aug, 2003
Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth Huff has been a member of the Washington Air National Guard for the last 15 years. More recently he has served the 116th Air Support Operations Center as their top NCO. The 116th is home to the Air Force's renowned "black berets", the Tactical Air Control Parties, or TAC-Ps. He now assumes the office of Command Chief Master Sergeant, and becomes the senior NCO for the Washington Air National Guard.
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Born during 1945 in Wenatchee, Washington, his devoted mother Mildred Huff, and dedicated father Ralph Huff raised him along with 2 of his older brothers and 2 sisters on a cattle ranch they called the Spanish Castle. Kenneth spent his early childhood years here with his family, homesteaded on the Columbia River where his father leased acreage to rear nearly 500 heads of cattle during WWII.
His father then accepted an outstanding offer to build wharfs on a naval base in the middle of San Francisco Bay on Treasure Island. Kenneth lived there for 10 years and then moved back to Walla Walla, Washington when his father retired.
As a young man, he attended high school in Walla Walla. Unsurprisingly, he was interested in the military from an early age and promptly joined the local Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) program. Upon graduation from high school he demonstrated his leadership abilities early in life when he achieved the grade of Cadet Captain (ROTC).
Both of his brothers are veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. When Kenneth describes his family and the influence they all had in shaping his life, he says, My brothers are all heroes and deserve to be put on pedestals as far as Im concerned. Our family is very patriotic, but of course everyone was back then.
Then, in 1967 Kenneth was drafted into the Army. He graduated from Helicopter Maintenance Technical School and then from 1968 to 1969 he toured in Vietnam with the 140th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade as Crew Chief / Door Gunner. During 1970 he began a tour in the Panama Canal Zone with Special Operations, where he worked until he left the Army.
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After leaving the Army Kenneth explains how he felt. He recalls, There was an empty place in my life that I couldnt fill with a civilian existence. Realizing my future held the promise of greater fulfillment with the military, I decided in 1980 to enlist into the Washington Air Guard under a "Try 1" program. This option allowed me to test the air for a yearand I loved it! Being part of the Washington Air Guard felt great. It filled the gap I had after the Vietnam War with camaraderie, patriotism, and pride in the US.
He joined the 256th Combat Communication Squadron on Camp Murray, WA. In 1988 he was one of the first 3 enlisted personal in the new unit, called the 111th Air Support Operations Center (ASOC). There, he served as the First Sergeant. Then, in 1992 he joined the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron and served as a member of a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). These unique Airmen provide a critical link with Army and other ground forces (click here for more information about the WA Air National Guard's TACP unit, and their training at the Joint Readiness Training Center).
He was the oldest individual to graduate from this school. During 1994 he graduated from Air Force Academys Parachute Free Fall School. Serving almost 9 years at this squadron he says, I knew I had to move on from the 116th ASOS (Air Support Ops Squadron) to open up the promotional opportunities there. When I found the position open at Headquarters I threw my hat in the ring, and here I am today.
Huffs hobbies include flying fixed-wing, multi engine, instrument rated airplanes, hunting, fishing, and riding a big V-twin motorcycle. He is the father of 4 children, grandfather of 10, and great grandfather of 3 so far.
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