5th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits Luke

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Robert Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, was welcomed to the 944th Fighter Wing during his visit to Arizona Jan. 10. Chief Gaylor spent the morning touring the wing, injecting his upbeat attitude and energizing members of the wing. 

The chief spent the previous day with the 944th's active duty counterparts at the 56th Fighter Wing.

In 1948, at the age of 17, he joined the Air Force and was assigned to the security police career field. After spending 31 very successful years in the Air Force and several more in the private sector mentoring leaders at all levels, the chief hit the road pursing his passion, traveling to different bases spending time with and inspiring Air Force members.

The chief feels the Airmen of today's Air Force are better trained, have state-of-the-art equipment and most important, the trust of their leadership.

"In my day, the belief was enlisted members were not paid to think," he said. "All Airmen carry a challenge to keep that trust."

As key note speaker during the 944th Fighter Wing's annual Senior NCO and NCO Induction Ceremony, the chief used his vast experience and humor to motivate the wing.

"The pride I felt today in the 944th Fighter Wing gave me goose bumps," he said during the ceremony. "I'm the luckiest guy on earth and I hope you feel the same about serving in the United States Air Force."

The key message during his talk was, "When Three Things Merge." Those three elements are opportunity, aptitude and attitude.

He spoke about opportunity which involves risk and sacrifice. He talked about aptitude, skill and ability.

"Don't ever stop increasing your knowledge. Never stop learning. And be hungry for knowledge."

He then went on to discuss the most important of the three elements -- attitude. Attitude is the key, he said.

"I dazzled the Air Force with attitude. Know your purpose, show your pride and do your job to the best of your ability," Chief Gaylor said.

The entire wing jumped to their feet with applause following the chief's humorous speech.

"Chief Gaylor has the energy of a man half his age and he is certainly able to infuse that into his audience. It was a pleasure to host him at the wing and spend time with him today talking to members of the wing," said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Plante, 944th Communications Flight superintendent and the acting 944th Fighter Wing command chief.