Klukas takes over as senior enlisted leader

Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas took over as U.S. Transportation Command’s senior enlisted leader, Nov. 10, in a ceremony in the command’s Seay Auditorium.

Klukas replaces Command Sgt. Major Tomás Hawkins who will retire later this year.

As the senior enlisted leader Klukas he is the principal advisor to the combatant commander for all matters concerning joint force integration, career development, utilization and sustainment of more than 150,000 enlisted personnel serving the headquarters and USTRANSCOM’s air, land and sea components throughout the world. 

"I'm extremely honored to join the warriors of USTRANSCOM and I'm very much looking forward to meeting the men and women who do some heavy lifting for our nation,” Klukas said.  “There's much to learn about the command and although it may be a bit overwhelming, I'm fired-up to get started.

“I'd like to give a special shout-out to my bride, Peggy, for enduring yet another PCS (permanent change of station),” Klukas added. “And to General Fraser for having the trust and confidence in me to take on this senior enlisted role."

Klukas, a native of Coleman, Wisc., entered the Air Force in June 1984.  His background includes numerous duties in the Tactical Air Control Party career field and various leadership roles at the squadron, group, wing, and numbered air force levels.  Before assuming his current duty, he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. 

-USTRANSCOM-