Chief Master Sergeant William E. Nabakowski is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) Sigonella AB, Italy. He is responsible to the Commanding General, NISRF for all matters including mission readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of over 415 joint and multinational personnel and resources. The NISRF mission involves the acquisition and stand up of NATO's first-ever organic Global Hawk RQ-4D weapon system tasked with conducting full-spectrum ISR Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination operations in support of NATO decision-makers, member nations, and SACEUR's strategic objectives. He liaises and coordinates with Headquarters Allied Air Command and SHAPE to ensure all command policies are implemented appropriately.
Chief Nabakowski grew up in Tampa, Florida and entered the Air Force in 2001. His background includes maintenance experience as an F-15C crew chief and numerous combat deployments as an HH- 60 Flight Engineer. He has been stationed at locations in Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada and Virginia. Chief Nabakowski has served in leadership positions at the Squadron, Group, Wing, and Major Command level. He has deployed in support of Operations, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, and multiple Operations in Africa and the Mediterranean.
Prior to his current position, Chief Nabakowski served as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, GA.
Education
- 2005 Airman Leadership School, Eglin AFB, FL
- 2008 Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
- 2009 JTM Tactical Movement and Shooters Course, Las Vegas, NV
- 2010 Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force
- 2012 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Sheppard AFB, TX
- 2012 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (DL)
- 2012 AFSO21 8-Step, Problem Solving Workshop and Green Belt (Level 1) Course, Moody AFB, GA
- 2012 Senior Enlisted Joint PME, (DL)
- 2014 Air Advisor Academy, Joint Base McGwire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
- 2014 Mi-17 Flight Training Academic and Simulator Course, Daleville, AL
- 2014 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
- 2015 FEMA Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA
- 2015 Air Force Inspector General Training Course, Langley AFB, VA
- 2015 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (Residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
- 2018 Professional Negotiation Course, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
- 2018 Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segments Functional Managers Course, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
- 2019 Joint Capabilities Requirements Manager Course, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
- 2021 Senior Enlisted Joint PME II (DL)
- 2023 Chief Leadership Course – Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Academy – Maxwell AFB, AL
- 2025 Senior Enlisted Legal Orientation and Pre-Command Team Training – Maxwell AFB, AL
Assignments
- October 2001 – November 2001, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
- November 2001 – May 2002, trainee, Fighter Aircraft Maintenance Course Sheppard AFB, TX
- May 2002 – June 2002, trainee, Fighter Aircraft Maintenance Flightline Course, Tyndall AFB, FL
- July 2002 – September 2007, F-15C Phase Inspection/Crash Recovery Craftsman, Eglin AFB, FL
- October 2007 – April 2008, trainee, HH-60G Initial Qualification Training
- May 2008 – July 2012, HH-60G Flight Engineer Craftsman, Flight Chief, Nellis AFB, NV
- July 2012 – July 2013, HH-60G Flight Engineer Craftsman, NCOIC Stan/Eval, Moody AFB, GA
- August 2013 – October 2014, 347th Rescue Group Stan/Eval (OGV) Superintendent, Moody AFB, GA
- November 2014 – January 2016, Superintendent Inspector General, 23d Wing, Moody AFB, GA.
- February 2016 – June 2017, Operations Superintendent, Det 1 413 Flight Test Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (AFMC).
- July 2017 – June 2020, HH-60 Command Functional Manager, Command Evaluator, and Personnel Recovery Functional Area Manager, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.
- July 2020 – July 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
- August 2023 – December 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, GA