Courtesy Photo | New York Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 174th Attack Wing pose for a photo...... read more read more
Washington - Fourteen New York Air National Guard Airmen from the 174th Attack Wing attended an Enlisted Field Advisory Council (EFAC) in Washington, Dec. 9 – 13, 2024.
The trip, which was led by Command Chief Sonja Williams, the 174th Attack Wing’s senior enlisted leader, was designed to educate first-term Airmen on how their role in the New York Air National Guard supports the overarching mission of the Air Force and the United States Military. “In my interactions with Airmen at the 174th, I realized that we had Airmen making the decision to leave the Air National Guard who didn’t have the complete picture of the benefits of wearing the uniform,” Williams said.
EFACs serve as a crucial forum for enlisted leaders across the force to discuss the concerns of their service members and aims to support warfighting efforts, partnerships, homeland security, and the development of modern Air National Guardsman.
“When I first joined, I had no idea what being in the military was about,” said Senior Airman Angel Onyenobi, a Logistics Airman assigned to the 174th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 174th Mission Support Group, 174th Attack Wing. “I just focused on my job, but being out there during the conference gave me a better perspective on how my job impacts the mission.”
Attending the EFAC allowed 174th Airmen the opportunity to understand how their position in the unit impacts the Air Force mission to fly, fight & win. “It’s like they showed you how everything you do at home base affects everything at the top” Onyenobi said.
Williams organized the trip primarily to allow first-term Airmen and junior noncommissioned officers to see what goes on at the higher/strategic enlisted levels of the Air National Guard and to provide mentoring opportunities and discussions as to why one should continue their careers in the NYANG.
“While in the EFAC meeting, our Airmen were able to see and hear firsthand the interactions of the command chiefs throughout the 54 states and 90 wings as they came together to discuss and resolve issues and concerns facing the ANG enterprise,” Williams said. “They, along with the entire body of members, were introduced to our 14th Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant, Joshua Moore.”
Joining the enlisted members on the trip was a junior 174th Attack Wing officer who used the experience to learn more about the Air National Guard. “I went into the trip with no knowledge of the readiness center and National Guard Bureau (NGB) and it really opened my eyes to make me a more effective and professional officer,” said 2nd Lt. Alexander Lotito, an officer assigned to the 174th Attack Wing. “Being able to explain to others what actually occurs at NGB helps to put into perspective why things take time and what they are doing to try to improve our lives.”
During the event, Airmen learned the importance of clear advice, proactive solutions, and strategic thinking to support and strengthen the enlisted force which highlighted the value of collaboration and staying ahead in modernizing the Air National Guard as they were given the opportunity to chat with Col. Timothy Martin, a former 174th member and current deputy commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center. The agenda included discussing how to improve the lives and mission capabilities of all Air National Guard Airmen.
“I was able to meet people from different squadrons and network with other people,” said Senior Airman Mark Carpenter, an administrative specialist assigned to the 174th Force Support Squadron, 174th Mission Support Group, 174th Attack Wing.
The trip also allowed Airmen to strengthen relationships between unit members and network with 174th Attack Wing leaders. “I was able to get to know Chief Master Sgt. Dooley on a personal level which was really good,” Carpenter said.
Following the conference, the Airmen toured the capital region and visited key governmental buildings and historic landmarks such as the United States Capitol, White House, National Guard Museum and the Gettysburg National Military Park.
The 174th Attack Wing is one of five wings that comprise the New York Air National Guard. Headquartered in Syracuse, NY, the unit’s primary mission is to operate the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2025 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 490657 |
| Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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