CMSgt Bill L. Smith is the Command Chief for the 128th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Air National Guard Base, General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is responsible for the 128 ARW enlisted Airmen’s expeditionary readiness, professional development, effective utilization, mission effectiveness, and quality of life. He directs all base enlisted recognition, and professional development programs and advises the commander on all matters affecting the health,
morale, welfare, discipline, and fitness of enlisted personnel. He provides guidance and expertise in enlisted force leadership of nearly 900 military members.
Chief Smith enlisted in the active-duty Air Force in October 1986 and served three years as an Avionics Instruments Systems Specialist on KC135 and B52 aircraft while stationed at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base (AFB), Mich. In 1989, he Palace Chased to the Wisconsin Air National Guard joining the 128th Air Refueling Wing. Chief Smith served in many capacities, to include aircraft Avionics Technician, Quality Assurance Inspector, Production Supervisor, Maintenance Flight Chief, and Maintenance Superintendent. Prior to his current position, Chief Smith was the Component Maintenance Flight
Superintendent, 128 MXG, Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee,
Wis.
For over 36 years Chief Smith has served in the USAF and ANG. During this time, he participated in operations DESERT SHIELD,
NORTHERN WATCH, DENY FLIGHT, JOINT FORGE, NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and others.
EDUCATION
1986 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1987 Diploma, Avionics Instrument Systems Specialist Tech Training School, Chanute AFB, Ill.
1987 Integrated Dual Flight Director Course, Offutt AFB, Neb.
1989 Inertial Navigation & Doppler Navigation Systems Course, Offutt AFB, Neb.
1992 Certified CPR Instructor Course, American Heart Association, Great Lakes NAS, Ill.
1993 USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. by correspondence
1998 Microcomputers Course, Wright College, Chicago, Ill.
1999 Occupational Safety and Health Administration Course, U. S. Dept. of Labor, Des Plaines, Ill.
1999 Avionics Pacer CRAG Course, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2001 USAF Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala by correspondence
2005 Associate in Applied Science, Avionic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2005 FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Course, Community College of the Air Force
2006 Diploma, History of U. S. Airpower Correspondence Program, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Aircraft Weight & Balance Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2007 Quality Assurance Personnel Course, Scott AFB, Ill.
2007 Quality Assurance Aircraft Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2008 Maintenance Resource Management Instructor Certification Course, Sembach Air Base (AB), Germany
2010 MAF Supervision and Production Course, USAF Expeditionary Center, McGuire AFB, N.J.
2010 NG Technician Personnel Management Course, Volk Field CRTC, Wis.
2015 Chief Master Sergeant’s Executive Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Md.
2017 Bachelor of Science, Technical Management (Summa Cum Laude), DeVry University, Addison, Ill.
2018 Air Force Chief Leadership Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1987 – August 1989, Avionic Instrument Systems Specialist, 410 OMS SAC, K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Mich.
2. August 1989 – January 1991, Avionics Guidance & Control Technician, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
3. January 1991 – September 1999, Avionics Guidance & Control Technician, 126 ARW Chicago O’Hare IAP, Ill.
4. September 1999 – March 2006, Avionics Guidance & Control NCOIC, 126 ARW Scott AFB, Ill.
5. March 2006 – April 2007, Quality Assurance Inspector, 126 ARW Scott AFB, Ill.
6. April 2007 – August 2009, Avionics Guidance & Control NCOIC, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
7. August 2009 – April 2010, Quality Assurance Inspector, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
8. April 2010 – October 2010, AMXS Production Supervisor, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
9. October 2010 – October 2014, AMXS Flight Chief, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
10. October 2014 – October 2022, Maintenance Superintendent, 128 ARW Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
11. October 2022 – Present, Wing Command Chief, 128 ARW, Gen. Mitchell IAP, Milwaukee Wis.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1994 Academic Excellence Award, Non-commissioned Officer Academy
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005 Sustained Superior Performance Commendation, ILANG
2005 FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
2013 Dean’s List for Academic Achievement
2015 Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise
2015 Induction – Alpha Chi National Honor Society
2017 Summa Cum Laude graduate, Bachelor of Science in Management
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard
Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association
Air Force Sergeants Association
Aerospace Education Foundation
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Airman Dec. 1, 1989
Staff Sergeant Dec. 3, 1991
Technical Sergeant April 1, 1994
Master Sergeant Sept. 18, 1999
Senior Master Sergeant June 15, 2010
Chief Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2014
(Current as of April 2025)