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Enlisted Heritage Hall receives Airey CMSAF ring

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Paul Wesley Airey, the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, had a close and very special association with Gunter, which he proved by leaving his CMSAF ring to the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum, his son said.

"Dad always wanted his ring to come to Gunter because of his association with the Senior NCO Academy and EHH, and we [his family] also wanted it here," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Dale Airey, who traveled to Gunter with his wife Norma from Jacksonville, Fla. "A highlight of being the executor of dad's will is being able to deliver his ring here today. I can't think of any better place than EHH for it to be."

The ceremony for the CMSAF #1 Ring Exhibit Dedication was held April 30 in EHH's Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force room where the ring will remain on public display. Guests in attendance included the current Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, the fifth CMSAF retired Chief Robert Gaylor, the sixth CMSAF retired Chief James McCoy and Col. Wade Johnson, Barnes Center for Enlisted Education commander.

Chief Master Sgt. Rick Fanning, Enlisted Heritage Research Institute director and event master of ceremonies, said he and the institute staff were "deeply honored" to add Chief Airey's ring to the museum's collection, as it would help perpetuate the already enduring legend of CMSAF Paul Airey. 

"Chief Airey was a frequent visitor here at EHH, and we all benefited from his wise council on more than one occasion," he said. "Now, future generations of Airmen will also benefit from his ring."

Chief McKinley said he was at Gunter for the SNCOA graduation and was "thrilled" to have the opportunity to view the unveiling of "Number One's" ring.

"Chief Airey inspires us. He always has and always will," he said. "Every time I come to EHH I'm filled with pride, as it reminds me of the rich heritage of the Air Force enlisted corps. I'm humbled to have my name associated with Chief Airey and the other chief master sergeants of the Air Force."

Bill Chivalette, EHH curator, said he thought the event was a very dignified ceremony and Dale Airey's words about what his father did to promote the enlisted corps demonstrated that former CMSAF Airey was, "until his dying day," a great ambassador for the entire Air Force. 

"We here at EHH are honored that he has entrusted us with his ring," Mr. Chivalette said. "Displaying the ring will help preserve enlisted heritage for posterity."

Mr. Airey, who retired from the Air Force in 1988, said his father's life was about highlighting, developing, promoting and honoring Air Force enlisted members, and he always pushed forward how important enlisted members are to the success of the service. 

"Dad's dream was to help make the enlisted corps what it is today. That was what he was all about," he said. "He gave a lot more than he received and had that ability to make people take pride in themselves."

Mr. Airey said his father always felt that if he could inspire just one Airman to seek the chief master sergeant of the Air Force position, then all his effort was worthwhile, and displaying his CMSAF ring at EHH might help to do that. He said he grew up knowing his father was special among other Air Force members because he saw the respect they showed his father time and time again.

"I remember being with my dad when I was about 7 years old. He took me with him to a barracks he was visiting and it was amazing," Mr. Airey said. "The enlisted members were saying, 'hello chief, how are you chief, what can we do for you,' and it wasn't out of fear of him but respect for him. I knew then he was something special."

He said his father considered the Weighted Airman Promotion System one of his greatest accomplishments as CMSAF, and that system helped "equalize" promotions in the enlisted corps.

"I took the first WAPS exam, and the very first question on the exam was, 'Who is the chief master sergeant of the Air Force?'" Mr. Airey said. "I thought to myself, 'I'm going to get promoted.'" 

Mr. Chivalette said the ring, which has a large diamond surrounded by olive branches on top and the letters "CMSAF" on one side and "#1" on the other side, was designed between 1981 and 1983 by the seventh CMSAF, retired Chief Bud Andrews.

"Chief Andrews showed his design to the other chief master sergeants of the Air Force who approved of it, so the first ring was manufactured and presented to Chief Airey," he said. "A few years ago, Chief Airey asked us if we wanted the ring for the museum. He said if we would publically display it, we could have it. We told him we would be proud to display his ring."