CMSgt. Calvin Williams is the new command chief of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Williams became the numbered air force’s top enlisted advisor last month after a one-year stint as command chief of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to 12th AF’s March 26 release. In his new position, Williams is responsible for ensuring the readiness of 10 Active Duty wings and one direct reporting unit for contingency operations. He also oversees 18 gained Air Reserve Component units. “To me, being a chief master sergeant and a command chief is one in the same,” said Williams. “It’s all about service to your country.” Williams succeeded CMSgt. Gerardo Tapia who left 12th AF in January for his new assignment as Air Education and Training Command’s command chief. “We all have a part in focusing on the mission, taking care of our family members, and taking care of each other,” said Williams. “With that said, my goal is always to leave an organization better than what I found it.” (Davis-Monthan report by MSgt. Kelly Ogden) (See also Ogden’s interview with Williams.)
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…