615th CRW at Travis AFB receives new Command Chief

Mark Brighton

The 615th Contingency Response Wing (CRW) at Travis AFB welcomed Chief Master Sergeant Michael J LaPlant as its new Command Chief earlier this month.

A California native, LaPlant will be responsible for advising the commander and staff on matters related to the health, welfare, morale and effective use of the wing's resources and personnel.

The 615th boasts airmen and women from 41 different career fields separated into three contingency response groups, a contingency operations support group, eight squadrons and six separate locations.

The chief's previous post was at the Air Mobility Command's headquarters at Scott AFB, and he has racked up an impressive collection of accolades in his storied career - not the least of which is more than 6,500 flight hours including 145 combat and support sorties that garnered him distinctions as a Chief Airman Aircrew member and an FAA Private Pilot.

In an interview with the Military Press, LaPlant expressed his excitement to work with such a diverse crew.

"I'm looking forward to taking care of our airmen so they can get the mission done. Especially within the CRW, which to me has one of the most interesting missions within Air Mobility Command," he said. "This is something I wouldn't normally get an opportunity to do within normal operations group or flying organization."

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