FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, Air National Guard command chief, visited the Airmen of the 144th Fighter Wing Jan. 8, 2023, at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.
Williams came to the base to view the mission up-close, discuss the National Defense Strategy, and to empower Airmen.
Williams told Airmen “The difference between us and other nations is our enlisted force. What you do for your mission makes all the difference.”
One topic Williams emphasized was the importance of becoming multi-capable.
“It all starts with the mind,” Williams said. “We need to empower you, even at the lowest level, to be innovative and make change. We need to change the design of what we do to operate in that future fight.”
In addition to speaking about executing missions, Williams spoke of the importance of connecting with team members, and how bonds affect retention.
“One thing that really resonated with me was when Chief Williams said ‘people leave people, not businesses,” said Airman 1st Class Anthony Becerra, 144th Communications Flight, radio frequency transmissions specialist. “I like my job, the people and the leadership. I want to emulate my leadership because they set great examples on how to treat people.”
Following the briefing, Williams also engaged with Airmen by sitting on base council meetings and had lunch with junior enlisted members before departing base. The 144th FW is the third California Air National Guard base Chief Williams has visited. Williams is also planning on visiting more bases to spread messages of mentorship and empowerment to Airmen across the United States in the near future.