Air Force’s former top enlisted leader visits Keesler

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
Synergy was the word the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Bob Gaylor used to describe Keesler after arriving Thursday to speak at the Mathies NCO Academy graduation. 

"Wow! What a tremendous picture," said Chief Gaylor. "At Keesler, there's a synergistic effect of each particular unit doing its job to contribute to the total mission of Keesler -- I think it's great how it all comes together," he said in describing the teamwork among the 81st Training Wing, 2nd Air Force and the 403rd Wing. 

The synergy between active-duty Airmen and "citizen Airmen" at Keesler and across the Air Force is "seamless," the chief pointed out. "I can neither tell them apart, nor do I even ask if they are Guard, Reserve or active duty. All I want to know is, 'What is the mission, and what do you do?'" 

Chief Gaylor said the teamwork between the Reserve and active-duty hasn't changed since he joined the Air Force in 1948. 

"When the Korean War broke out in 1950, we were caught by surprise and our active force literally was not prepared to fight the war by itself," he recalled. "The Reserve and the Guard literally fought the air war early on. Without the Guard and the Reserve, we would not be able to do the job we do." 

Among the changes he said he's seen since he was chief master sergeant of the Air Force include training, technology and the addition of family programs. 

"What impresses me is highly trained Airmen working on a sophisticated piece of equipment or system and knowing how to do it," he said. "Training and technology come together because technology is no good if you don't have someone who knows how to operate (the equipment or system). 

"The Airmen of today are better trained," said Chief Gaylor, who never went to an Airman Leadership School because they didn't exist. "I didn't go to an NCO Academy until I was a senior master sergeant. The training today comes at the right time to prepare Airmen before they make mistakes. 

"We've also recognized the importance of family -- we didn't always do that," he said, praising the number of programs and services designed to support the family. "When I went to Korea in 1956, there was no program available to my wife and family -- they were simply on their own." 

In addition to an enlisted call, the chief visited the 81st Security Forces Squadron, the 81st Training Group, the 81st Medical Group and base operations. He lunched with Keesler base council members and ended the day with the Air Force Thunderbirds, who were in town for the Thunder on the Bay Air Show. 

He advised Airmen he encountered throughout his stay to develop a passion for the Air Force if they don't already have it. 

"The Air Force is not a job -- it's a way of life," he said as he talked about the opportunities available to Airmen that aren't available in other jobs. "I just felt that I was a part of something special, and I was very proud that the Air Force allowed me to serve." 

Chief Gaylor said he realizes not everyone is going to stay in 31 years like he did, but his goal is for each Airmen to feel that the time they did spend was time well spent. "I am just very proud that the Air Force and I are linked together," he said. "I gave the Air Force the best years of my life."