Chief Sets the Pace Published Jan. 12, 2023 By Staff Sgt. Duande Morgan 174th Attack Wing Hancock Air National Guard Base, NY -- On January 7, 2023, Hancock Field said goodbye to Chief Master Sgt. Ashley A. Pace during a retirement ceremony held here. Pace graduated Air Force basic training in December of 2002. After completing basic training, she went on to attend contracting technical school. Pace’s very first active duty assignment was at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. There she would be assigned to the 4th Contracting Squadron. From there she was stationed with the 92nd Contracting Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. In 2010, Pace joined the 88th Contracting Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. She has deployed in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Joint Guardian, and Iraqi Freedom. After spending 13 years on Active Duty, Pace joined the 174th Attack Wing in 2016. Pace was the Base Contracting Officer for 174th Attack Wing (ATKW). She was responsible for the acquisition of supplies, services, and construction necessary to support the 174th ATKW and subordinate units. Pace also served as an Air National Guard Contracting Regional Chief Enlisted Manager for the Southeast region. Prior to her becoming the Base Contracting Officer for the 17th ATKW, she was the Manager of Command Contracting Inspections for the Air Force Materiel Command Office of the Inspector General. During her ceremony, Pace was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, and was presented a Plaque from the Chiefs Enlisted Council. Pace’s Husband, Master Sgt. Robert Pace, also received a Certificate of Appreciation. Pace’s Mother, Mrs. Lorraine Cushman, received the Military Parent Medal.