CMSAF visits base, applauds Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray visited Incirlik to tour the base and speak to Airmen about his time on station here, Air Expeditionary Force cycles, and quality of life issues.

This wasn’t the first time Chief Murray has visited the “Lik.” He was stationed here in 1984 as a crew chief with the 39th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron.

“I find a lot has changed and clearly some things have not changed,” said Chief Murray. “When we came here in 1984 we had an important mission which still exists today. The streets are the same, but the infrastructure has changed.”

The chief explained that the enlisted club and post office were Quonset huts. It was like a World War II type of base.

“When you get off the base, the alley has changed a little, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the great Turkish people. Many of the people we met here then are still friends of ours now,” said Chief Murray.

The base has changed since Chief Murray was last here and so has the Air Force. One of the major changes for the Air Force is the way we deploy. The AEF concept has been around for a while and Chief Murray believes that the program is working out well.

“It used to be when we deployed we would come to places like here,” said Chief Murray. “Now we are projecting people from here to other parts of the world. We have been in combat for 15 years. Through the different operations we have participated in, we found we needed to organize our Air Force differently to maintain our readiness, training, aircraft and equipment. The by-product was giving Airmen predictability so they would know when they would be on-call, when they would need to prepare and how long they would be gone.”

The AEF process is continuing to serve the Air Force well. However, the chief noted not all career fields are able to stay within the AEF construct. High demand careers like combat controller and pararescue are deploying more frequently to meet the mission requirements of the Global War on Terror.

“I served here during the cold war. It was the type of conflict where it was state against state or nation against nation,” said Chief Murray. “Today it’s not like that; it’s not armies against armies, it’s terrorist groups against people. The AEF process gives us an agile force that can easily adapt to whatever the threat may be. The world is changing and we have to be ready.”

Though the AEF process gives most Airmen predictability, it also brings quality of life issues to the forefront.

“Congress asks us every year what is the morale of our force,” said Chief Murray.
It’s hard to measure morale he said.

“People usually think about morale, welfare and recreation but that’s not it. When I think of morale, I think of commitment. What keeps our Airmen coming back day after day?”
Pay and compensation are things that keep Airmen coming back, said Chief Murray.
“Compensating Airmen in a way that keeps them continuing to serve is important and something I bring before Congress frequently. The old saying, you recruit the Airman but retain the family holds true. Sixty percent of our force is married and good quality housing is very important. But it’s not only family housing; it’s also the housing of the 40 percent of our single members. Young Airmen need an environment that they can enjoy and appreciate living in.”

Education was also high on the Chiefs priority list. “We are seeing, even as busy as we are, education increasing in our enlisted force,” he said. “Many Airmen pursue their education because they want to be in a position when they separate that will help them get the jobs they desire. But education also boosts the capabilities of the force. Because we are a technical force, developing Airmen with greater capabilities takes a high level of education.”

The chief added that those weren’t the only issues on his mind and the minds of the Airmen he was testifying on behalf. Childcare and medical care were also a top priority.
This will be the last year Chief Murray has the opportunity to testify before Congress as he has announced his retirement for later this summer. He was humble when asked what he will be remembered for.

“I’ll tell you exactly what my wife told me when we accepted the (CMSAF) job. She said, ‘We will go to Washington and serve our Airmen and try to make a little difference.’ I believe we have and it will be for the Airmen to tell us if we have.”

The chief fully believes that anyone who wants the CMSAF job can achieve it.

“What a privilege and honor it is to serve, work for and represent our Airmen. I grew up on a small farm in western North Carolina. If a farm boy from the hills of North Carolina can come into the service, be able to serve and reach the rank of chief master sergeant and then achieve Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force than anyone can,” said Chief Murray.

He also highlighted those who serve throughout the ranks as great leaders, and great Airmen.

“Remember to set goals. The sky is the limit. I set a goal to be chief and then I had to figure out a way to achieve that goal,” said Chief Murray.

In closing, the chief wanted to thank the Airmen at Incirlik and throughout the Air Force for all they do.

“The Airmen who have chosen to come into the Air Force, especially since Sept. 11, 2001, and volunteer to serve their country, a nation at war, deserve thanks,” he said “They have come into a force that works harder, and longer than I have ever seen in the 29 years that I have served. They have sacrificed so much, some even giving their lives. I want to thank every Airman for serving our country.”