Family and mentorship emphasized at Chief Porter's retirement Published Feb. 11, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Treviño 433rd Airlift Wing JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas -- Chief Master Sgt. Richard A. Porter, 433rd Maintenance Squadron superintendent, retired from the Air Force Reserve Feb. 9 in a ceremony here officiated by Maj. A. Spence Pennington, 433rd MXS commander. Porter joined the maintenance squadron a year ago and his impact has been tremendous according to Pennington. “You have given more in the last year and in the last month than many of us will give in a career,” Pennington said. Pennington said Porter came off active duty in 1986 and joined the aircraft regeneration shop, which, he pointed out, is where Porter is ending his 36-year career. His lengthy career was made possible by his family and his mentors. “These stripes, I wear them because y’all put them there,” said Porter. “You supported me, you’ve mentored me, and I give back what I can. I have immediate family, but you are all family. The Air Force is all around the world, but we are a tight knit family.” Porter left the Reserve Citizen Airmen and guests with a key message. “You are all mentors one way or another, you are all Wingmen, help each other, none of us can do this alone,” Porter said. “This is a family environment, it is what we are all are. Thank you all for allowing me to serve with you.”