Photo By Senior Airman Rebecca Tierney | U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Joan Nguyen, 163d Attack Wing command chief,...... read more read more
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — For Chief Master Sgt. Joan Nguyen, becoming the new command chief of the 163d Attack Wing represents more than the next step in her military career. It is an opportunity to serve and lead the Airmen who will carry the wing’s mission into the future.
“There have been supervisors, peers, and commanders who saw something in me,” said Nguyen. “I was a drill status Guardsman for most of my career, but I was given an opportunity to be here full time to show what I can do. It means the world that there are people who have trusted me to this point to take care of Airmen.”
Nguyen recently assumed responsibility of the wing during a formal ceremony Aug. 1, 2026. She brings more than 27 years of military service and experience across active-duty and Air National Guard assignments to the position.
Outside of her military career, Nguyen is also a mother of three. Balancing the demands of military service while raising a family has given her another perspective on leadership, responsibility, and the importance of taking care of people.
“I was a stay-at-home mom with three kids. Looking back, balancing both was the hardest part of my career while raising three children,” she said. “I was still able to show that I am capable. That I can do this.”
After so many years of service, her reasoning for continuing to serve is clear.
“I’ve always been so proud to wear this uniform. When you see someone else in uniform, there’s already a connection,” she said. “Airmen and the relationships that are built are what keep me motivated. Meeting new Airmen and having great conversations. I love those moments.”
Nguyen’s Air Force career began in 1999 as an active-duty battle management operations Airman. Her first assignment took her to Shaw Air Force Base, just 90 miles away from her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Nguyen explained that although this particular assignment was not at the top of her list of preferred assignments, it turned out to be an eye-opening experience for her.
“Everyone remembers their first assignment,” she said. “The people you are with and the bonds you form are far more important than your geographical location.”
Over the course of her active-duty career, Nguyen served at multiple bases and deployed several times, experiences that exposed her to different missions, communities, and leadership challenges. As her time as an active-duty Airman came to a close, she was offered a unique opportunity.
“During my last year of active duty, I was approached to join the Air National Guard to stand up the MQ-1 Predator unit in Tucson. That’s when I transitioned to the Guard,” explained Nguyen.
In 2006, Nguyen completed training at Creech AFB to become a sensor operator. It was there that she was introduced to members from the 163d.
“After my training, I decided to transfer to the 163d. It was an instant connection,” she said. “They’re my people.”
Nguyen spent the next several years building experience within the 163d, accumulating thousands of flying hours before another opportunity changed the direction of her career. In 2014, she was offered a position as a first sergeant with security forces.
Her diverse leadership roles have shaped the way Chief Nguyen leads Airmen. She values transparency and believes Airmen should know the “why” behind decisions and how those decisions affect the mission.
“I want to help foster a culture of acceptance and innovation. That’s what builds a team that works so well together,” she explained. “That’s what builds trust.”
For Nguyen, developing leaders is another way of building trust within the force.
“My priority is to ensure first-line supervisors and beyond have the resources they need to lead people,” she said. “I want to make sure our supervisors know it’s okay to make a mistake, but I also want to ensure they have the resilience to press on, take accountability, and learn from it.”
She emphasized that one of the wing’s greatest strengths reveals itself in how challenges are met. With leaders who empower members to develop ideas and the resources to execute them, the 163d tackles problems and finds solutions.
Looking ahead, Nguyen has a clear vision for the 163d ATKW. No task too big.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.1969 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2026 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 574211 |
| Location: | MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Passing the Guidon: 163d ATKW Welcomes New Command Chief, by SrA Rebecca Tierney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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