Photo By Master Sgt. Jason Long | Chief Master Sergeant Jose Baltazar, State Command Chief, addresses the audience...... read more read more
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NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - A ceremony held at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, on Saturday January 9, 2016, marked the official change of authority for the Rhode Island Air National Guard State Command Chief and the 143d Airlift Wing Command Chief.
The ceremony began with the change of authority for the 143 AW Command Chief. Chief Master Sergeant Gregory Houghton assumed authority from outgoing Wing Command Chief Jose Baltazar who, later in the ceremony, assumed authority from outgoing State Command Chief, Chief Michael Brady. Before the traditional passing of the Wing guidon, Colonel Daniel Walter, Commander, 143 AW, shared some words about the two Chiefs.
“His quiet leadership and uncompromised professionalism has made an impression on our psyche that will last for decades,” he said of Chief Baltazar. “The most amazing change to me has been in the culture of the enlisted force,” continued Col Walter speaking of Chief Baltazar’s time as the Wing Command Chief. “I’ve spent a lot of time on active duty. I’ve worked on a lot of bases. I’ve seen how a lot of people operate but I’ve never seen a level of professionalism in an enlisted force more than we have right here, right now.”
Mentioning when he first began working with Chief Houghton upon taking command of the 143d Maintenance Group Col Walter said, “If I hadn’t been able to make a right out of my office and walk ten feet and go to Chief Houghton, or Cardullo, or Moniz, I would’ve lasted six months in that job. It didn’t take me more than a few weeks to see that I was dealing with a pro in Chief Houghton.” Col Walter continued, “When this job [Wing Command Chief] came open it was kind of a perfect storm of things. Not only did I know that we had this great pool of Chiefs to choose from but at the top of the list we had this Chief that has this incredible reservoir of leadership that was just waiting to get out to a broader audience.”
Colonel Walter thanked Chief Baltazar for his leadership and friendship, congratulated him on his position as the State Command Chief, and advised Chief Houghton to “hang on” for a great couple of years.
Following the passing of the Wing guidon, Chief Houghton took the opportunity to speak. He thanked Col Walter for giving him the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given him so much, “I will represent the enlisted force with pride and professionalism and dedicate my efforts to their well-being,” said the Chief. “I plan to take this opportunity as Command Chief to give back to the enlisted members of this organization.” Chief Houghton stressed that his focus will be on providing mentoring opportunities, encourage participation in the enlisted councils, and continuing development of the Airmen’s professionalism and readiness.
Before the State Command Chief Change of Authority commenced, Brig. Gen. Matthew Dzialo, Assistant Adjutant General, Air, addressed the three Chiefs. Remarking on the process that took place to select the incoming State Command Chief Brig Gen Dzialo said, “Chief Brady will tell you that, years ago, when he was selected for this position, there wasn’t a very deep pool of candidates. I can tell you right now, thanks to his leadership, there was an awesome pool of candidates.” He expressed his thanks to Chief Brady for his hard work and dedication, and said, “Chief Baltazar, Chief Brady has set the bar high. But I know that you have done an outstanding job as the Wing Command Chief and because of that I know you’re going to do an outstanding job as the State Command Chief.”
Dzialo also congratulated Houghton and thanked the families of all three Chiefs for their sacrifices.
Chief Brady was also recognized for his 34 years of service to the Air Force and the Air National Guard at a ceremony on Jan. 10, 2016.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2016 17:29 |
| Story ID: | 191795 |
| Location: | NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI, US |
| Hometown: | GLASTONBURY, CT, US |
| Hometown: | NORTH SCITUATE, RI, US |
| Hometown: | REHOBOTH, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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