SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- This week, Chief Master Sergeant Larcario Tufts was announced as the new Superintendent for the 618 AOC. Chief Tufts' journey to the AOC started when he was just a sophomore in high school.
Chief Tufts' journey to the AOC started when he was just a sophomore in high school. Coming from a small-town in rural Ohio, he knew he wanted to pursue a career with strong job security above all else. After speaking with a local recruiter, Chief joined the Air Force through the Delayed Enlistment program and helped recruit nearly a dozen classmates.
"Patriotism wasn't the reason I joined," Chief Tufts said. "But it's the reason I stayed."
He began his career as an F-15 crew chief and spent his first two assignments overseas. After 5 years, he cross-trained to become a loadmaster, putting him on the front lines of many combat, human remains, and humanitarian missions.
While working for the 385th Air Expeditionary Group in Qatar, Chief Tufts learned of an opportunity to work in the 618th Air Operations Center. Given his previous experience working as an executive officer for then Lt Col DeVoe in 2013, and having already fallen in love with the mobility enterprise, he knew this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"The stars aligned," Chief Tufts recalled. "Everything worked out perfectly."
Stepping into the AOC, Chief Tufts describes himself as a team-player. Bringing his team together when making decisions is a defining characteristic of Chief’s leadership style.
"I want them to know that they have a voice," Chief Tufts said. "We're going to make decisions together."
When asked about his mindset when coming into the AOC, he described his plan to support the vision of General DeVoe.
"I’m focused on understanding and supporting the boss’ vision for the future," Chief Tufts said. "I’m ready to support his needs, and the needs of our Airmen, to continue driving our mission forward.”