Elder Statesmen of the Enlisted Force Gather:

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Nine of the men who have held the Air Force’s top enlisted position met recently in the nation’s capital. Retired CMSAF Paul Airey, who enlisted in the service 63 years ago and was the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, sees similarities between the airmen of his day and today, noting they have the “same drive and determination.” Airey said, “The difference is the education and the knowledge today’s young people have.” Retired CMSAF Sam Parrish, the eighth in the line of top enlisted men, commented that the service is “still growing and developing,” but that airmen “are beginning to understand the importance of their service and their service’s history.”

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org