Airey House, Court dedicated to first chief master sergeant of the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Chelsea Gitzen
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs
The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force was remembered and honored March 10 at a dedication here of the house and street where CMSAFs reside.

"(We are here to) honor our first chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Paul Airey," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, number 16 of a long line of heroes. "With this unveiling, we honor the chief who preceded us all."

Chief Roy was joined by five former CMSAFs (#5 - Robert Gaylor and his wife, Selma; #6 - James McCoy and his wife, Kathleen; #8 - Sam Parish and his wife, Inge; #9 - James Binnicker and his wife, Jan; and #14 - Gerald Murray and his wife, Sherry), as well as members of the Airey family; Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Lt. Gen. William Shelton; Col. Steven Shepro, the installation and 316th Wing commander; and members of Clark Realty, the company that built the Airey House.

"It's fitting that we dedicate this beautiful home to Chief Airey," General Shelton said. "He was a pioneer, a tireless champion of our Air Force. Even after he retired from active duty, he continued to support and defend the Air Force for many, many years."

The house also contains items from former CMSAFs that now serve as historical artifacts.

"This home behind us is so much more than just the walls and the ceilings," General Shelton said. "It contains memorabilia from all of our former chiefs and tangibly demonstrates the importance of the office of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force."

Chief Airey's son, retired Chief Master Sgt. Dale Airey, spoke on behalf of the Airey family to thank everyone involved for their tribute to his father.

"On behalf of the Airey family, we thank you for this invitation and for this ceremony to name and dedicate the new chief master sergeant of the Air Force quarters in honor of my dad," Chief Airey said.

Colonel Shepro remarked that it was a great honor for the base to house the CMSAF now and throughout history.

"We have been proud to welcome (the past and current chiefs) as part of the Andrews family, as part of Team Andrews," Colonel Shepro said. "We are proud to dedicate this street and this beautiful home to the most senior enlisted leadership that has made this Air Force great."

Chief Airey felt confident that his father is proud of the house and street dedicated in his name.

"Dad left us a year ago, and not a day has passed that we don't think of him and recognize his many influences on our lives," Chief Airey said. "We're absolutely sure he is undeniably proud of this house that now honors him."

Today, Chief Roy is humbled to live in a place that represents a part of the Air Force's tradition of honor and legacy of valor.

"From this day forward, when Airmen come to these quarters, they will see a snapshot of our enlisted heritage and one of our greatest enlisted leaders," said Chief Roy. "It's an honor for the Roy family to call this house 'home.'"