Meet Lt. Col. Hughes, commander 375th Medical Support Squadron Published June 22, 2016 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Lt. Col. Charles Hughes assumed command of the 375th Medical Support Squadron June 6. The squadron’s mission is to support the enabling of Rapid Global Mobility by the 375th Air Mobility Wing by ensuring maximum medical readiness and combat capability of approximately 14,200 personnel. He is also responsible for organizing, training, and equipping a squadron of 10 diverse medical support units. Q: What led you to join the Air Force? A: I have been either an Air Force dependent or sponsor my entire life, except for a few years spent in the Army Reserve. My father and uncle are both retired Air Force senior NCOs. Combined, they contributed 50 years of service to our Air Force. It has been a privilege following in their footsteps. Q: When did you decide you wanted to become an officer? A: I first enlisted into the Army Reserve as a medium helicopter maintainer a few months after graduating college. I had no intention of becoming an officer; the company grade officers in my unit, however, knew I had a four-year degree and encouraged me to apply for a commission. At first I was reluctant, but I grew to appreciate the level of responsibility provided to junior officers and how much a CGO could contribute. Q: Was there a specific goal in mind when you became an officer? A: As a young person I simply wanted to meaningfully contribute to the Air Force and be challenged at the top of my ability. Q: What is your favorite Air Force memory? A: My favorite Air Force memory is flying across Afghanistan in a Blackhawk in the middle of the night with a full moon, the doors open on both sides of the helicopter, and the moonlight reflecting off the mountains and streams. The imagery was unforgettable. Q: What can your Airmen expect from you? A: Airmen can expect me to be down-to-earth, open to new ideas, lead with vision and purpose, communicate, embody our core values, and always try to find the best in others. Q: What do you expect from the Airmen? A: I expect Airmen to live by our core values, strive for continuous improvement both personally and professionally, be helpful and kind to others, and contribute to the mission’s success every day. Q: What advice would you give Airmen? A: This is your Air Force. Own it and make it better. Q: What do you look forward to the most? A: I look forward to seeing our Airmen realize how much they have to offer our Air Force, helping them step into leadership roles with ever-increasing responsibilities, and later reflecting on their successes. Q: Do you have a leadership philosophy? A: My leadership philosophy is consistent with the “golden rule:” Lead others how you would want to be led. Q: How do you feel about being at Scott Air Force Base? A: There is no place my family and I would rather be assigned than Scott AFB. The Airmen and community have welcomed us warmly and the installation’s many missions are awe-inspiring. We look forward to giving back.