b'The United States Air ForceChaplain (Capt.) Jonathan Dawson, 436th Airlift Wing chaplain and Senior Master Sgt. Elden Pelletier, 436th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant, pack frozen chickens for Thanksgiving food bags Nov. 23, 2020, at Dover Air Force Base, First Sergeant Delaware. Dover first sergeants, Key Spouses, Dover Spouses Group and other volunteers helped deliver 260 bags of Thanksgiving dinner kits for Team Dover Airmen including two whole chickens, canned vegetables and pie ingredients.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Faith Schaefer)The United States Air Force first sergeant is aThe position is critical to the execution of the key leader serving in a time-honored special dutyunit mission. Although the first sergeant doesposition, rich in custom and tradition.not typically have a specific operational orFirst sergeants are a dedicated focal points fortechnical expertise requirement, he or sheall readiness, health, morale, welfare and qualitythoroughly understands how decisions affectof life issues within their organizations. At homeunit performance. The first sergeant primarily station and in expeditionary environments, theirsupports the mission through interaction, support primary responsibility is to build and maintain aand management of all unit-assigned personnel mission-ready force.and their families.The first sergeant works directly for and derivesFirst sergeants respond to the needs of unit authority from the unit commander and servesmembers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and a critical link for the commander within the unit.may at times be required to work long andThe first sergeant ensures the force understandsirregular hours, as well as travel extensivelythe commanders policies, goals and objectives,to and from mission destinations. They remain and also ensures support agencies, i.e., securityvigilant and use the necessary authority to forces, civil engineer, medical facilities, services,resolve issues that, left unchecked, would etc., are responsive to the needs of all assignedadversely impact readiness.unit personnel and their familiescontinued on page 26Thank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magizine 25'