Optometrist achieves Air Force milestone Published Feb. 13, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Corey Hook 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- This country has seen major achievements by driven and devoted Airmen since the Air Force became a separate service in 1947. Recently, an optometrist here at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center pushed herself into the record books. Annette Williamson is the first female optometrist to be promoted to the rank of colonel in Air Force history. Williamson currently serves as the 559th Medical Operations Squadron optometry flight commander and the Air Force Surgeon General consultant for optometry. She has also commanded the 381st Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. "It is an honor to work with Colonel Williamson," said Tech. Sgt. Horace Gamez, NCO in charge of the 59th Optometry Clinic. "I've worked with her for over 10 years and can truly say she cares about the mission and the people of the Air Force. She is respected for who she is, (not just for) the rank she wears." Williamson, a native of Humboldt, Kan., received her commission into the Air Force in 1995 after five years of private practice in Tulsa, Okla. The colonel is responsible for the Air Force's largest and most diverse optometry flight, composed of three clinics and 22 personnel who conduct more than 25,000 annual patient encounters. "I love being in the Air Force," Williamson said. "The Air Force has challenged me personally and professionally and I'm all the better for it." Her illustrious career also includes being named the 2009 Air Force Field Grade Optometrist of the Year, the 2009 Armed Forces Optometric Association Senior Optometrist of the Year, and the 2009 Association of Military Surgeons in the U.S. Optometrist of the Year. "My vision, sorry for the pun, for the remainder of my Air Force career, is to give back as much as I can to those who are junior to me," Williamson said. "I have been fortunate to have been mentored by some of the best in the Air Force and I want to give back as much as I can."