A Chief's Welcome

Staff Sgt. Craig Seals, 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray dropped by Cannon Air Force Base Sept. 27 and 28 to tour the base and share his senior enlisted wisdom with present and future Air Force leadership.

After his day and a half visit to the base, Chief Murray was clearly impressed with what he had seen.

“I really rely on the leadership and Airmen to show me, to tell me what they do and how they do it. Everything I have seen has shown me that the Airmen here at Cannon have really put their best foot forward,” Chief Murray said.

The Chief’s visit allowed him the opportunity to visit with junior enlisted personnel at a breakfast at the Pecos Trail Dining Facility. After the breakfast, Chief Murray was able to attend the 27th Maintenance Group’s Load Crew of the Quarter Competition between Hangars 119 and 133.

“The aircraft looked great. There was a lot of excitement surrounding the competition,” Chief Murray said.

The Chief, a prior aircraft crew chief for F-16s, was particularly interested in the load competition. “Being back on the flightline was a special moment for me,” he said.

Upon completion of the load competition, Chief Murray congratulated the winners and headed to the Airman Leadership School’s Wall of Heroes induction ceremony in Building 620.

“Recognizing those heroes who have gone before us, I think is a benchmark for our Air Force,” Chief Murray said.

Later that afternoon, Chief Murray toured the Professional Enhancement Center and spoke with First Term Airman Center students new to the Air Force, after which he visited Cannon’s dormitories and was able to speak with dorm management.

“I was very impressed with the dormitories overall and the ownership of the Airmen and their involvement in the dormitories,” Chief Murray said.

“I would also like to highlight the dorm management,” he said. “It is, by far, some of the best I’ve ever seen in the Air Force, from the civilians working in the housing flight to the [noncommissioned officers].”

The final stop on the Chief’s visit was to see the Airman Leadership School and visit with the students.

“The Airman Leadership School is the best I’ve ever seen. I like the fact that it is still an in-residence

center. I like the creativity and ownership that this wing has taken in the decoration of its rooms and hallways,” Chief Murray said.

Of all the facilities toured during Chief Murray’s visit, he was most impressed with the “caliber and professionalism of the NCOs.”

“My overall impression of Cannon Air Force Base, and more importantly, the men and women of Cannon, is very, very positive. I truly enjoyed the visit and the opportunity to spend time with them.”