88th Air Base Wing welcomes new command chief Published June 12, 2024 By Daniel Peterson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine assumed responsibility as 88th Air Base Wing command chief from Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales during a change of responsibility ceremony June 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Col. Dustin Richards, 88 ABW and installation commander, presided over the ceremony, saying farewell and thanking Morales for successfully tackling the unique position of being the 88 ABW installation command chief. “The role of a command chief is multifaceted, a heavy burden to bear even in remote locations with lower personnel levels,” Richards said in his remarks. “At Wright-Patt, the installation command chief needs to navigate the personalities of six other command chiefs, 200 plus active duty and retired chief master sergeants, first sergeant requirements for a diverse collection of units, and the needs of more than 120 mission partners.” U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales gives his final speech as the outgoing 88th Air Base Wing command chief, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, June 11, 2024. Morales thanked the Airmen of the “mighty 88th” for ensuring the continued success of the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Serving as the wing's senior enlisted leader for two years, Morales relinquishes responsibility and will have a permanent change of station to his next assignment as the 78th Air Base Wing at Robins AFB, Georgia. “It takes a special Airman to fill this role,” Richards said. “I am here to tell you that Chief Morales is a special Airman.” Morales took the opportunity to thank the personnel of the 88 ABW. “The strength of the wing is due in large part to our leaders and Airmen at the squadron level,” Morales said. “Our 17 squadrons are the heartbeat of the mighty 88th and vital to ensure all organizations on this base can execute their missions by providing unrivaled strength through support. Thank you.” Richards then officially installed Fontaine as his new senior enlisted leader and wingman. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine gives her first statements as the new 88th Air Base Wing command chief, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, June 11, 2024. Fontaine committed to providing an environment for the people and mission at Wright-Patt to find success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “I am excited to welcome Chief Tessa Fontaine to the Wright-Patterson arena,” Richards said. “She brings a breath of knowledge to the role and has a natural talent for peer leadership that will serve her well.” Fontaine, whose career spans Security Forces, the National Reconnaissance Office, and Air Force Basic Military Training, comes to Wright-Patterson AFB from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, where she was the command chief of the Special Warfare Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command. “I look forward to leading this wing with a warfighting focus, enhancing our strength through support in the midst of great power competition,” Fontaine said. “I am committed to providing an environment where the people and mission can always find a pathway to success.” I look forward to leading this wing with a warfighting focus, enhancing our strength through support in the midst of great power competition. CMSgt Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW Command Chief Fontaine is now the senior enlisted leader of one of the Air Force’s largest air base wings with more than 5,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel. The 88 ABW command chief position was not established until 2005. From 1992-2005, the position of command chief master sergeant was originally at the Aeronautical Systems Center level before coming to the Air Base Wing. The wing provides support and services to a broad, diverse and organizationally complex base, which includes a major acquisition center, research and development laboratories, major command headquarters, airlift wing and the world’s largest military air museum.