9th OG Chief retires after 30 years of service Published Jan. 12, 2015 By Senior Airman Bobby Cummings 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs Beale Air Force Base, Calif. -- A retirement ceremony was held at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 9, 2015 for Chief Master Sgt. James Crites, 9th Operations Group superintendent. The guest speaker for the event was Col. Darren Halford, 9th OG commander. Crites served as the senior advisor to the commander regarding matters concerning morale, health and welfare, effective utilization and professional development of the groups enlisted force. Crites is a native of Walnut Creek, Calif., and served in various locations around the world including Afghanistan and Korea among other locations. He served a total of 30 years and six days in the Air Force.