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Wizards welcome Williams as new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stormy Archer
  • 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  

Navy Cdr. Rex Burkett, outgoing 33rd Maintenance Squadron commander, passed command of the 33rd MXS to Air Force Lt. Col. Craig Williams during a change of command ceremony Aug. 18, 2016, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Col. Ronald Huzzard, 33rd Maintenance Group commander, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the accomplishments of the 33rd MXS under Burkett’s command.

“Cdr. Burkett has been the heart and soul of the 33rd MXS during his time here, Huzzard said. “Under his leadership the 33rd MXS has enabled the production of more than 7,100 sorties and 10, 500 F-35 flight hours. If you mention any of the accomplishments the 33rd MXS has made and he will tell you that the credit goes to the Airmen, Sailors and civilians of the 33rd MXS. But he deserves immense credit as a leader for creating an environment in which our tremendous maintainers can thrive.”

The 33rd MXS "Wizards" provide maintenance and oversight for the 33rd Fighter Wing’s assigned aircraft in the areas of propulsion, avionics, ground equipment, munitions, armament, accessories, fabrication and scheduled inspections to ensure continued aircraft availability.

Williams and his wife Ketura rejoin the 33rd Fighter Wing team after serving as the 3rd Munitions Squadron commander where he led 264 maintainers in back-shop munitions and missile maintenance for the F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Williams was the former 33rd Maintenance Operations Squadron commander.

“Thank you for providing me the opportunity to lead the men and women of the 33rd MXS, Williams said. “I am very excited to join your team.”

Burkett thanked the Wizards of the 33rd MXS before rendering his final salute.

“It is always people in the command that are responsible for the success of the command,” Burkett said. “I’m grateful to the Wizards for making this possible. Thank you for the opportunity to be your commander. You have renewed my faith in the future, and you illuminate the certainty that the next generation is ready to take over and run this place just like every generation before. Fair winds Wizards, I am a Wizard for life.”