Chief and shirts

48th Fighter Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Williams and several first sergeants from around the base met at building 917 before walking the dormitories Aug. 15 at RAF Lakenheath, England. The Chief and first sergeants feel their presence will help Airmen feel safe and provide the opportunity for familiarization with leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood)

Chief and shirts

Master Sgt. Dionne Turner, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and Master Sgt. Ian Batchelor, 48th Dental Squadron first sergeant, look into an unsecure room as part of Command Chief Williams' safety visit Aug. 15 at RAF Lakenheath, England. Chief Williams with first sergeants from various squadrons visited the dormitories and Liberty Club between the hours of 1 and 3:30 a.m. in an initiative for dorm residents to feel safe in their living quarters and witness the wingman concept in action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood)

Chief and shirts

Master Sgt. Dionne Turner, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and Master Sgt. Ian Batchelor, 48th Dental Squadron speak with dormitory residents Aug. 15 at RAF Lakenheath, England. 48th Fighter Wing Command Chief Jeffrey Williams with first sergeants from various squadrons visited the dormitories and Liberty Club in an initiative for dorm residents to feel safe in their living quarters and witness the wingman concept in action.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood)

Chief and shirts

Master Sgt. Dionne Turner, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and Master Sgt. Ian Batchelor, 48th Dental Squadron first sergeant chat with Airman 1st Class Philip Hernandez, 48 LRS about his night out Aug. 15 at RAF Lakenheath, England. First sergeants and the 48th Fighter Wing Command Chief wanted to show a presence in the dorms to increase Airmen awareness and help foster the wingman program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood)

Senior NCO's take an interest in dorm life

Published Aug. 26, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing Command Chief Jeffrey Williams and several first sergeants from around the wing took a walk Aug. 15 through the different dormitories on base.

"I want to show a presence," Chief Williams said. "Leadership should be involved and visit the dorms. It's important to see how their Airmen are doing."

He explained that this is not a policing action but more of a way for leadership to show interest in their Airmen and see the way they live. He predicted mixed emotions from Airmen and said some will be glad to have the presence and some would feel it's an invasion of privacy. The Airmen, however, had a positive response.

"I don't mind it at all," said Senior Airman Clarence Langi, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment maintainer. "It gave me a good chance to talk with senior leadership and familiarize myself with them."

He said their presence makes people more aware of their surroundings and he thinks it will help deter some of the incidents that happen in the dorms.

"I think this is a good thing," said Airman Steven Hewitt, 48th Security Forces squadron. "With leadership there, there won't be as many people causing trouble. I'm not worried about it because I don't cause trouble," he laughed.

Chief Williams is adamant about this program and said he hopes to increase the safety of Airmen. He also stressed the importance of leaders understanding their Airmen on and off duty.

"I want to challenge all squadron leadership to come out and visit the dorms at least one night a month on the weekend and see how your Airmen are living," he said.