TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A Citizen Airman in the 507th Air Refueling Wing here won the Combat Airlifter of the Week award April 25 from the 913th Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
As a civilian, Takesha Williams is a budget analyst in the 507th Air Refueling Wing Financial Management office. As a senior NCO, Senior Master Sgt. Williams is a 3A Functional Manager at Little Rock AFB.
Williams joined the 507th ARW in 1992 as a traditional reservist in an administrative clerk position. In 2001, she served as an air reserve technician as an administrative support assistant for two years. She acquired a civilian position in the Financial Management office in 2002, while continuing to serve as a traditional reservist. In 2005, she took on the duty of a 1st Sgt., and continued her duties until 2015. In 2011, she joined the 913th Airlift Group at Little Rock AFB as a traditional reservist after serving in the 507th ARW for 19 years.
In her free time, the Oklahoma City native enjoys volunteering and is a fitness fan. Williams is a long-time volunteer coordinator for the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon recruiting volunteers to serve as road guards for the event. From its inaugural race in 2001 with just under 5,000 participants, the event now hosts over 24,000 runners and walkers from every state and several foreign countries.
With 24 years in service under her belt, her goal is to continue mentoring Airmen and eventually become Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force.
Williams was awarded the Combat Airlifter of the Week award for exhibiting the Air Force core value of service before self.
“Ensuring the development of our Airmen is my first and most important priority,” said Williams. “Investing in the future of our Airmen is what continues to make this Air Force the best ever.”
Williams is one of the original founding members of Detachment 1 under the 22 AF which became the 913th Airlift Group in 2014. She was instrumental in the development and growth of the unit, serving as the first Development and Training Flight Commander, a 1st Sgt. for multiple squadrons and currently as the 3A Functional manager. (Master Sgt. Jeffery Walston contributed to this story)