Chief Airey laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --
Surrounded by family and friends, colleagues and fellow Airmen, the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Airey was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 28.
A B-52H Stratofortress from the 20th Bomb Squadron provided a fly over during the ceremony to pay tribute to Chief Airey.
"We get requests for flyovers multiple times a week looking for support," said Capt. Tim Miller, 2d Operation Support Squadron wing scheduling. "A few months ago I got the request for Chief Airey's service, I recognized the name but my history is rusty, so I looked him up and realized who he was. The flyover was at 8 a.m. local time which meant our guys had to launch at 5 a.m., we usually don't volunteer for something so early but we wanted to help honor Chief Airey."
For members of the crew onboard the B-52 it was a chance to honor a former bomber.
"I'll always remember this experience, it's the kind of thing that sticks with you," said Capt. Georges DeWilde, 20th BS navigator. "It was an honor to do this for Chief Airey because of the prestigious position that he held because he was a fellow bomber, continuing the heritage of the bomber force meant that much more."
While the B-52 sailed whistling overhead, the service with more than 400 attendees continued.
The Air Force's top enlisted leader, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, offered a eulogy on behalf of all Airmen, saying, "Paul Wesley Airey is an icon in the lives of Airmen - he was a constant friend, true patriot, faithful public servant, dutiful husband and a loving father.
"I can clearly recall standing in the dining facility waiting line during basic training and reading in the basic military training study guide about Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul W. Airey," Chief McKinley said. "I remember learning about him being the first Airman selected for this important position. I remember thinking, 'He must have been pretty special to have been picked as the first.'"
Seven former Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force joined Chief McKinley as well as Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at the ceremony.
"Chief Airey has always been such a huge part of our heritage," said the 13th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Jim Finch. "Not only was he a mentor to all Airmen, but he especially made a point of spending time with all the Chiefs who followed him in the position. He's the father of our enlisted corps."
Chief Airey's influence is felt by every Airman. During World War II, he spent time as a prisoner of war after his B-24 Liberator was shot down over Europe. Upon his repatriation, he made it a point to return to active duty.
He spent the majority of his 27-year career as a first sergeant. He led a team that developed the Weighted Airman Promotion System. He advocated heavily for a senior non-commissioned officer academy and was a huge proponent of professional military education.
After his retirement, he was active in professional military organizations, including the Air Force Memorial Foundation and Air Force Sergeants Association, where he provided his guidance, mentorship and opinions.
For Airmen who had the chance to meet Chief Airey, the experience was one that stayed with them, like it did for Tech. Sgt. Shawanda Randolph, a recruiter in nearby Alexandria.
"The first time I met Chief Airey was at Airmen Leadership School, and we were all completely in awe of him," Sergeant Randolph said. "It's because of him that I would one day like to follow in his footsteps and maybe even be a Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force."
Chief Airey made every Airman feel valued.
"I counted Paul as a dear friend, but he was more than that to me and many others," Chief McKinley said. "Paul Wesley Airey was an understanding and effective first sergeant. He was an engaged and charismatic leader with a ready smile and a go-to attitude that compelled others to want to follow him.
"Paul was an outstanding colleague, a loyal patriot and a helpful mentor," the chief continued. "He was a great man, but more than a great man, he was an Airman, and our first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force."
Chief Airey died March 11 at his home in Panama City, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked people to consider donations to the Air Force Memorial Fund, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society.
A B-52H Stratofortress from the 20th Bomb Squadron provided a fly over during the ceremony to pay tribute to Chief Airey.
"We get requests for flyovers multiple times a week looking for support," said Capt. Tim Miller, 2d Operation Support Squadron wing scheduling. "A few months ago I got the request for Chief Airey's service, I recognized the name but my history is rusty, so I looked him up and realized who he was. The flyover was at 8 a.m. local time which meant our guys had to launch at 5 a.m., we usually don't volunteer for something so early but we wanted to help honor Chief Airey."
For members of the crew onboard the B-52 it was a chance to honor a former bomber.
"I'll always remember this experience, it's the kind of thing that sticks with you," said Capt. Georges DeWilde, 20th BS navigator. "It was an honor to do this for Chief Airey because of the prestigious position that he held because he was a fellow bomber, continuing the heritage of the bomber force meant that much more."
While the B-52 sailed whistling overhead, the service with more than 400 attendees continued.
The Air Force's top enlisted leader, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, offered a eulogy on behalf of all Airmen, saying, "Paul Wesley Airey is an icon in the lives of Airmen - he was a constant friend, true patriot, faithful public servant, dutiful husband and a loving father.
"I can clearly recall standing in the dining facility waiting line during basic training and reading in the basic military training study guide about Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul W. Airey," Chief McKinley said. "I remember learning about him being the first Airman selected for this important position. I remember thinking, 'He must have been pretty special to have been picked as the first.'"
Seven former Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force joined Chief McKinley as well as Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at the ceremony.
"Chief Airey has always been such a huge part of our heritage," said the 13th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Jim Finch. "Not only was he a mentor to all Airmen, but he especially made a point of spending time with all the Chiefs who followed him in the position. He's the father of our enlisted corps."
Chief Airey's influence is felt by every Airman. During World War II, he spent time as a prisoner of war after his B-24 Liberator was shot down over Europe. Upon his repatriation, he made it a point to return to active duty.
He spent the majority of his 27-year career as a first sergeant. He led a team that developed the Weighted Airman Promotion System. He advocated heavily for a senior non-commissioned officer academy and was a huge proponent of professional military education.
After his retirement, he was active in professional military organizations, including the Air Force Memorial Foundation and Air Force Sergeants Association, where he provided his guidance, mentorship and opinions.
For Airmen who had the chance to meet Chief Airey, the experience was one that stayed with them, like it did for Tech. Sgt. Shawanda Randolph, a recruiter in nearby Alexandria.
"The first time I met Chief Airey was at Airmen Leadership School, and we were all completely in awe of him," Sergeant Randolph said. "It's because of him that I would one day like to follow in his footsteps and maybe even be a Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force."
Chief Airey made every Airman feel valued.
"I counted Paul as a dear friend, but he was more than that to me and many others," Chief McKinley said. "Paul Wesley Airey was an understanding and effective first sergeant. He was an engaged and charismatic leader with a ready smile and a go-to attitude that compelled others to want to follow him.
"Paul was an outstanding colleague, a loyal patriot and a helpful mentor," the chief continued. "He was a great man, but more than a great man, he was an Airman, and our first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force."
Chief Airey died March 11 at his home in Panama City, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked people to consider donations to the Air Force Memorial Fund, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society.
