459 ARW command chief reflects on 33 years of military service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Russell
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The 459th Air Refueling Wing delivered a proper send-off to their command chief after 33 years of military service in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve during a retirement ceremony here Dec. 3.

Looking back on his career, Chief Master Sgt. Clifford Van Yahres' dedication to his enlisted members and his country began with an interest in flying.

Chief Van Yahres, a self-proclaimed "late bloomer" had a passion for aircraft and enlisted in the Air Force on August 25, 1975. His ambition to fly was halted after he found out he was colorblind.

"When you're colorblind there are only four jobs you qualify for," he said with a smile. The career field options provided eventually lead him to a position in aerial port mobility.

In December 1975, Chief Van Yahres graduated from Air Cargo School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. After his active duty tour in 1977, he attended the State University of New York at Farmingdale and Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in ornamental horticulture. It was at Cornell University where he met his wife Erin, married and eventually had two children.

Chief Van Yahres said he and his wife were in their first home in Valley Forge, Pa., where he worked as a municipal arborist and Mrs. Van Yahres a private arborist. While raking the yard together one day, they spotted two C-130's flying overhead. This re-ignited his passion for flying and ultimately led him to joining the Air Force Reserve after serving on active-duty.

"While we were raking, my wife said to me, 'why don't you try the reserve? It's only one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year'," he said, knowing later that his Reserve commitment would extend far beyond that.

In 1984, Chief Van Yahres entered the Air Force Reserve and started his career as an aerial port specialist at the 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa. In January, 2004 he was mobilized and assigned to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Dover AFB, Del., where he eventually deployed to Kuwait and Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an air freight superintendent.

As Chief Van Yahres continued making rank and serving in the Air Force Reserve, he was selected as the 913th AW command chief master sergeant. Before coming to the 459th ARW he also completed a tour as the 440th Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, N.C., command chief.

In his civilian capacity Chief Van Yahres began as an entrepreneur in the landscaping business. He said he let go of his lucrative business to commit more time to the Air Force Reserve. While serving as a Reservist, Chief Van Yahres has also been employed by Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pa., as a public works supervisor.

During his years of Air Force Reserve service, Chief Van Yahres has earned numerous awards and decorations; including the Meritorious Service Medal. He received a fourth oak leaf cluster on his MSM during his retirement ceremony.

Col.(ret.) Giordano B. McMullen, former commander of the 514th Airlift Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. officiated the ceremony and reflected on their time shared while stationed together at Willow Grove ARS.

"It is an honor to have served with this gentleman," Colonel McMullen said. "The synergy that we had to reach out and touch the hearts and minds of our people who wanted to continue with their Air Force careers was just right."

The retired colonel said he attributes Chief Van Yahres' success to his persistent display of pride, professionalism and performance. Indeed, these very attributes shine through in the many accomplishments in his time here with the 459 ARW.

Chief Van Yahres took his responsibilities as a senior leader earnestly, with compassion and competence. While helping to lead the wing's enlisted personnel in completing many successful missions, overcoming obstacles and passing graded exercises, Chief Van Yahres has consistently focused on simply being a mentor.

"If you take care of your people, your people will take care of the mission," the Chief stated.

During his time as command chief at the 459th ARW, Chief Van Yahres created and revitalized many different programs, which were all focused on the camaraderie, morale and development of the wing's enlisted Airmen. He engaged junior enlisted Airmen into taking ownership of their careers by overseeing the creation of and mentoring the wing's Rising-Six council. Chief Van Yahres also worked to recognize Reserve weekend top performers, which subsequently lead to the revamping of the wing's quarterly awards program.

Outside of wing enlisted programs, Chief Van Yahres also helped to bring more prominence and viability to an organization of 459th ARW alumni and retirees. He helped to rename the 459th Wing Association, formally known as the 756th Squadron Association, and ensured the former Airmen had a proper place in the wing's history.

Col. Samuel Mahaney, the 459th ARW's newest wing commander, had an opportunity o spend a short period of time working and serving with the command chief. Along with Colonel McMullen, Colonel Mahaney also had an opportunity to speak at the chief's retirement ceremony.

"He has a great deal experience going a long way back and it has been great to rely on that for guidance and mentorship," Colonel Mahaney said during the ceremony. "It has been an honor and a pleasure serving with Chief Van Yahres."

With the newly acquired free time he now has, Chief Van Yahres said he wants to take advantage of getting involved with more alumni-related activities and become more active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. More importantly, he said he looks forward to the additional time he will have to spend with his family, whom have supported an honorable military career.