TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Tyndall AFB's NCO Academy was renamed to honor the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force Dec. 13 here.
The Paul W. Airey NCO Academy Dedication Ceremony will be remembered as the second greatest thing to happen in the retired chief's professional life, said Chief Airey, only because becoming chief master sergeant of the Air Force will always be first.
"I am proud and a little in awe," said Chief Airey. "I will never let you down and I'm going to do my best to live up to this."
For years the academy hoped they could rename their institution after the chief who has been involved with professional development at Tyndall AFB since he retired here in 1970.
"Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Airey is a great hero, a trailblazer for the enlisted corps and a great, humble man," said Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Schwenk, NCOA commandant, to a crowd of active and retired military, families, local community leaders and the Dec. 13 graduating NCOA class.
The presiding officer for the dedication was Col. Albert John Bowley Jr., commander of the College for Enlisted Professional Military Education, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex, Ala.
"We celebrate a life well-lived," Colonel Bowley said. "We honor an Air Force hero, aerial gunner, former prisoner of war (in World War II), Korean War veteran and Legion of Merit recipient. Chief Airey is someone we all know and admire."
The ceremony left students feeling honored and privileged to be part of the historic event.
"NCO Academy Class of 07-1, count ourselves lucky to be at the right place at the right time," said Tech. Sgt. Durene Colton, the class leader. "Changing the name as the academy enters its 50th year of education, and doing it all on the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force's birthday, is unreal."
Chief Airey also wanted to leave the class with a quote he created for the new Air Force Memorial in Washington.
"When I think of the enlisted force, I think of dedication, determination, loyalty and valor," said the retired chief.
The tradition of excellence continues because of the chief and other military leaders.
"How you live your life inspires your country," Colonel Bowley said to Chief Airey during the colonel's ceremonial speech. "We educate to inspire and develop the enlisted core. We've nailed our vision and mission here today."
Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)
Click here to view the comments/letters page