KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Sunday the 403rd Wing’s newest staff sergeants and master sergeants stepped up to the next tier of their careers by becoming noncommissioned and senior noncommissioned officers.
These new leaders were honored in a ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance facility that included the posting of the colors, a welcome message, the official induction into the NCO and senior NCO tiers, a candle-lighting ceremony, a recitation of the Airman’s Creed and the singing of the Air Force Song.
Each inductee raised his or her right hand and swore the NCO or Senior NCO oath of induction, promising to lead the Airmen below them and, as in the Oath of Enlistment, uphold the Constitution of the United States. Tech. Sgt. Sara House, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, added in her welcome message that NCOs must always present an image of confidence, integrity and pride.
Chief Master Sgt. Chris Barnby, 403rd Wing command chief, shared his expectations of the newly promoted Airmen.
“Wingman, leader and warrior, you are noncommissioned officers and are empowered to develop and lead the junior Airmen while exercising a good followership. Be technically, physically and mentally ready to accomplish the mission. Never leave a wingman behind,” he said. “Senior noncommissioned officers, be active and be a visible leader. Empower the Airmen and fellow SNCOs into better followers, leaders and supervisors. Be safe, be real but be relevant. Provide balance and enable the Airmen to execute the Air Force mission.”
NCO inductees are:
- 41st Aerial Port Squadron – Olalekan Adewale and Jordan Watson
- 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron – Kaci Lennix
- 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron – Gary Bryant and Matthew McCoy
- 403rd Force Support Squadron – Dominick Gill and Chris Papia
- 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron – Jeremy Nash, Richard Neal and Desmond Potter
- 403rd Maintenance Group -- Sabine Severe
- 403rd Maintenance Squadron – Georgiy Naumkin, Darrell Shepard and Christopher Simmons
- 403rd Operations Support Staff – Devante Bourgeois, Justin Necaise, Kristen Taylor, Devante Turner and Tabitha Williams
- 403rd Security Forces Squadron – Chantavia Traywick
- 815th Airlift Squadron – Anthony Distefano and Brandon Price
Senior NCO inductees are:
- 41st APS – Shutasica Irby and Donna Shope
- 403rd AMXS -- Emile Babin Jr.
- 403rd Communications Flight – William Opoku
- 403rd LRS – Kashka Pruitt
- 403rd MXG – Larry Bailey, Judith Davis and Jason Sharp
- 403rd MXS – Fernando Betancourt, Ralph Guevara, Vincent Hawkins, Jonathan McCarty and Michael Stansbury
- 403rd OSS – William Newell