Command Chief retires after 33 years

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 920th Rescue Wing’s highest ranking enlisted member retired during a ceremony Aug. 5 at the base theater.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Bianchi retired after nearly 33 years in the Air Force. He spent more than two decades of his career with the 920th RQW.

Col. Jeffrey Macrander, former 920th RQW commander, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by Bianchi’s family, friends, colleagues and hundreds of Airmen from across the wing.

“Today, the Air Force retires one of its finest,” Macrander said. “I was lucky to have worked side by side with him.”

Bianchi served as Macrander’s command chief for the majority of his tenure as commander of the 920th RQW. Macrander congratulated Bianchi on a distinguished career and thanked his family for their continued support.

“You will always be remembered,” Macrander told Bianchi. “Thanks for everything you’ve done.”
Bianchi grew up in Florida and joined the Air Force in 1985. A career aircraft mechanic by trade, he has extensive maintenance experience on various Air Force aircraft to include: T-33, T-37, T-38, F-4, F-5, F-15, F-16, C-130 and HH-60.

He mobilized overseas countless times during his career, including: Operations Provide Comfort I and II, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and most recently to Horn of Africa in support of the Combined-Joint Task Force.

“To the men and women of the only rescue wing, it has absolutely been a privilege and an honor serving you,” Bianchi said.

“Freedom isn’t free, and the uniform you wear represents the past, present and future of the armed forces,” he added.

As the wing's highest ranking enlisted member, Bianchi advised the commander on matters concerning the morale, health, welfare, effective use, training and progress of the enlisted corps of the 920th RQW. He also served as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, boards and military and civilian functions.

The 920th RQW is the only combat search-and-rescue wing in Air Force Reserve Command. The wing comprises approximately 2,000 Airmen and is spread across four locations including Patrick AFB; Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon; and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.