Chief Master Sgt. William B. Stanley is the ninth Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, Key Field Air National Guard, Meridian, Mississippi. He represents the highest level of enlisted leadership for the wing and is an advisor to the Wing Commander. In this role, he is directly responsible for matters affecting morale, wellness, readiness, training, health, welfare, quality of life, professional development, and proper utilization for the Wing’s 900 plus Air Guard members.
Chief Stanley graduated from Air Force basic training in February 1987 and completed the Imagery Interpretation Journeyman Course at Goodfellow Air Force Base. He was assigned to the 153rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Chief Stanley transferred to the 153rd Aerial Refueling Squadron and completed Initial Boom Operator in September 1992 at Castle Air Force Base. In October 1998 Chief Stanley started working in the RC-26 office with the Counter-drug Program. In October 2008 Chief Stanley was selected to cross train into the MC-12 program as an instructor sensor operator and evaluator with Project Liberty. In January 2012 Chief Stanley cross trained into the C-27 as a Load Master. In October 2013 Chief Stanley transitioned back to the KC-135R as the NCOIC of the Aircrew Training Office. In September 2019 Chief Stanley was transferred to the 186th Medical Group as the Group Superintendent. In September 2021, Chief Stanley returned to the 186th Operations Group as their Senior Enlisted Leader. Chief Stanley has deployed numerous times to multiple theaters. He participated in ALLIED FORGE, DENY FLIGHT, NOBEL EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDON, FREEDOM SENTINEL, IRAQI FREEDOM AND INHERENT RESOLVE.
EDUCATION
1989 Baccalaureate Degree, Social Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
1989 NCO Prep Course, Non-residence
2000 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Non-residence
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Non-residence
2014 Intelligence Studies and Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force
2021 Chief Master Sergeant Course
2022 Senior Enlisted Joint PME Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1987-March 1987, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. March 1987–September 1987, Student, Technical Training School, Goodfellow AFB, TX
3. September 1987– January 1992, Imagery Interpretation Specialist, 153rd Tactical Recon Sqdn, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
4. January 1992-October 2010 Boom Operator, 153rd Aerial refueling Sqdn, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
5. October 2010 – October 2013, Loadmaster, 153rd Air Refueling Squadron, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
6. October 2013- September 2019, Inflight Refueling Superintendent 186th Operations Group, Key Field ANGB MS.
7. September 2019 – September 2021, Group Superintendent, 186th Medical Group, Key Field ANGB, Miss.
8. September 2021 – Present, Group Senior Enlisted Leader, 186th Operations Group, Key Field ANGB, MS.
BIOGRAPHY
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Boom Operator
Flight hours: More than 4000
Aircraft flown: KC-135R, KC-135T, KC135E, C-130H, MC-12, C-12, C-27J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with Bronze Star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service with eight oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass with M device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle) Air Force Training Ribbon
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Mississippi Magnolia Medal
Mississippi Commendation Medal
Mississippi Medal of Efficiency
Mississippi War Medal with one Bronze Star
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal
Mississippi Longevity Medal with silver cluster
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Mississippi National Guard Enlisted Association, Lifetime Member
Air Force Association, Meridian Chapter
ANG Club Board member, 186th ARW
USAF Boom Operators Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class March 11, 1988
Senior Airman September 15, 1990
Staff Sergeant September 22, 1990
Technical Sergeant February 6, 1993
Master Sergeant October 14, 2000
Senior Master Sergeant May 28, 2015
Chief Master Sergeant November 4, 2020
(Current as of September 2024)