CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Although I knew we would someday lose one of our greatest Airmen, no one was ready to say goodbye when Chief Master Sgt. Paul Airey passed away on March 11. Besides being the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Chief Airey's legacy includes flying on 28 combat missions during World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps and also returning home honorably after becoming a prisoner of war. Chief Airey's service to our country and to the Air Force continued long past his active duty service: He addressed thousands of Senior NCO and NCO Academy students and passed on his wisdom and experience to the current and future leaders of our service.
According to Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, Chief Airey's "legacy lives today in the truly professional enlisted force we have serving our nation and for that we owe him a debt of gratitude."
As Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley said, "Chief Airey is the most respected enlisted Airmen in the history of the Air Force ... When we speak of today's Airmen standing upon the shoulders of giants as they reach for the sky and stars -- it was upon Paul Airey's shoulders they stood. We will truly miss his leadership, counsel and friendship."
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Dale Airey, Chief Airey's son, summed up best the way many of us feel about Chief Airey's contributions to the Air Force. "He is immortalized as the epitome of what an Air Force NCO should be."
Although I'll miss hearing him speak and regret our future Air Force members won't have an opportunity to interact with him, I am happy Chief Airey will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. I hope he can somehow see the nearby Air Force Memorial dedicated to the service he loved so dearly.
Another of our great enlisted leaders, Chief Master Sgt. Joe Barron, the Air Mobility Command command chief, recently visited Team Charleston and enjoyed meeting many of Team Charleston's Airmen and seeing their invaluable contributions to successful mission accomplishment and to the cause of freedom. We showed him the new Airmen's Center, the dorms, the Honor Guard and portions of the Maintenance Squadron, Security Forces Squadron and Aerial Port Squadron. Chief Barron mentioned to me several times about how impressed he was with the professionalism and the pride our Airmen displayed as he interacted with them. Thanks to everyone who helped make the chief's visit a huge success.
Nothing epitomizes the professionalism and pride here at Team Charleston better than the recent accomplishments of Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Kitchen from the Logistics Readiness Squadron. Sergeant Kitchen earned the John L. Levitow award from the Senior NCO Academy, the most prestigious award a graduate can receive from our professional military education system. He excelled in academics, demonstrated outstanding leadership, and went above and beyond to make the class a success. Great job Sergeant Kitchen, I'm glad you're a member of Team Charleston!
As we get closer to the unit compliance inspection, please take care of your wingman and your loved ones. Thanks for all the hard work ... you make me more proud every single day.