Chief Florez retires from the Alamo Wing
Chief Master Sgt. Ernest Florez, superintendent of the 433rd Medical Squadron, retired from the United States Air Force Reserve on May 6, 2017 in a ceremony here officiated by Col. Michael D. Nelson, commander of the 433d Medical Squadron.
The legacy Chief Florez leaves behind is very significant to the current success of the 433rd Medical Squadron according to Nelson. "He has left us officers who have benefitted from his mentorship, he has left us a unit that continues to meet all challenges head on,” he said.
"I owe much of who I am as a commander to him,” Nelson said. “His legacy is that he has left the 433rd Medical Squadron is in a better positon today than when he found us in October of 1998."
After thanking his family and his fellow medical squadron Airmen for supporting his career, Chief Florez offered his wisdom to his fellow Wingmen one last time.
"I didn’t think I would be a chief, I thought I would do four and then get out," Florez said. "I finally made it to this level. It doesn’t mean you stop working. You keep pushing and inspiring your Airmen to get better," he said.
Chief Florez's career spanned over 30 years, beginning with his enlistment in 1986. He began his career at Wilford Hall, and it ended at Wilford Hall.
"I knew it was okay to move on because I knew this squadron is in a better place than it was when I came on as a staff sergeant in 1998," he said.
