JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The chief master sergeant of the Air Force quarters and the street the quarters reside on were dedicated to the first CMSAF, Paul W. Airey, during a dedication here Wednesday.
"[We are here to] honor our first CMSAF, Paul Airey," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, number 16 in a long line of heroes. "With this unveiling, we honor the chief who preceded us all."
Chief Roy was joined by five former chief master sergeants of the Air Force [#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, #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, the installation and 316th Wing commander Col. Steven Shepro, and members of Clark Realty, the company that built the home.
"It's fitting that we dedicate this beautiful home to Chief Airey," said General Shelton. "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 included items from former CMSAF that now serve as historical artifacts.
"This home behind us is so much more than just the walls and the ceilings," said General Shelton. "It contains memorabilia from all of our former CMSAF and tangibly demonstrates the importance of the office of the CMSAF."
"On behalf of the Airey family, we thank you for this invitation and for this ceremony to name and dedicate the new CMSAF quarters in honor of my dad," said Dale Airey, a retired chief master sergeant and Chief Airey's son.
Joint Base Andrews commander Colonel Shepro recognized the great honor that the base has to house the CMSAF now and throughout history.
"We have been proud to welcome [the chief master sergeants of the Air Force] 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."
Mr. Airey said he 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," said Mr. Airey. "We're absolutely sure he is undeniably proud of this house that now honors him."
Today, the Chief who resides at 1 Airey Ct. here said he 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.'"