Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, command chief, Air National Guard (ANG), visited the 118th Wing at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tenn. on April 23, to view operational missions up-close.

Williams, the highest-ranking enlisted leader amongst the 91,000 ANG enlisted members, got a first-hand look at the 118th's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions and how the wing's Airmen make a difference on a global scale.

Williams said he was impressed by how excited and engaged the young Airmen were about the mission, which in turn helps them to influence leadership and the missions themselves.

"These Airmen are operating at the high standard I see other Airmen operating at other locations," Williams said. "Especially with this type of mission, it's required that you be more detailed when it comes to the intel career field that they're in."

Williams also spoke with a group of the wing's top-performing Airmen, during which he engaged with them about their concerns and emphasized his priorities.

"He was a very down-to-earth, relatable, personable chief, who genuinely wanted to hear from us," said Tech. Sgt. Jessey Ambrose, the 118th Mission Support Group's command support staff noncommissioned officer in charge. "He encouraged us to be on councils, to get our voices back up to leadership."

Williams stressed that Airmen across the ANG need to engage more often in professional development. He added that he was very impressed with how the 118th Wing conducted broad professional development related to Airmen working with NATO allies, the State Partnership Program, and the Army.

Wrapping up his visit, Williams advised Airmen always to take the opportunity to sit at the table with leadership. He told Airmen that if they're at the table, they're part of the conversation and can influence decisions that affect themselves and other Airmen.