Air Force Mourns 5th CMSAF Passing

Published Jan. 17, 2024
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- 

Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, passed away Jan. 17, at the age of 93.

Gaylor’s career spanned nearly 31 years, leaving a legacy of service, leadership and dedication.

"CMSAF Gaylor was a pillar of our Air Force,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “For more than 75 years, both in uniform and after he retired, he served our Airmen and the institution he loved so dearly. He will be deeply missed by all.”

Among his numerous achievements as CMSAF, he played a significant role in the creation of the Air Force’s new maternity uniform and pushed for a policy change allowing junior enlisted Airmen undergoing a permanent change of station to transport their families at the government’s expense. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Gaylor was selected as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on Aug. 1, 1977. In this role, he served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the most senior noncommissioned officer in the Air Force. He represented the interests of enlisted Airmen at the highest levels of the service and played a key role in shaping Air Force policies.

Gaylor enlisted in the Air Force in 1948, at a time when the service was still in its infancy. He began his career in the security police, continued to serve in a variety of assignments, including in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He also served as an instructor at the Second Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, assisted in reopening the then-Strategic Air Command NCO Academy, and established the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Management and Leadership Center.

Following his retirement in 1979, Gaylor never wavered in his commitment to the Air Force community, remaining actively involved with Airmen and their families through organizations, like the Air Force Memorial Foundation and the Air Force Sergeants Association. He continued to meet with Airmen for the remainder of his life, advocating tirelessly for the well-being and professional development of those who served.

Additional Note: Chief Gaylor was a Charter and Life Member of AFSFA and spoke at many of our National Meetings throughout our history. His common sense wisdom and infectious smile will be sorely missed. He last virtually addressed our National Meeting banquet in 2022 at Dayton, OH.

Operation Vet NOW Honors Fallen Defenders in 2023-2024 Snocross Season

Operation Vet NOW (OVN) is an organization with a program that seeks out fallen veteran heroes to honor in a way similar to NASCAR. They partner with pro athletes and sports teams and series to honor service members killed in the line of duty. In past seasons they have honor EOD, PJ's, CCTs and more. They reach out to the representative associations and foundations of the career field groups.

Here are a couple links to highlight reels from previous seasons they shared:

Air Force Pararescue https://youtu.be/f4LunABWEE4?si=YGmLFGnAown1SYRq

Air Force EOD warriors. https://youtu.be/Tc-scQ-9dvM?si=LprZBU4wswKl-Sxz

The team has names on snowmobiles of the heroes they honor. Here is the link to the initial page, https://opvetnow.org/af-security-forces

OVN contacted AFSFA as the association for USAF Defenders and expressed an interest to honor eight Security Forces members KIA during the Scheuring Speed Sports Snocross Team season from Dec 2023 - Apr 2024. In the series Pro Racers will carry the name of a fallen SF member on their snowmobiles, and we share the names and stories with our community and race attendees.

The first event was in Ironwood Michigan 15-16 December. The team has names on snowmobiles of the heroes they honor. Here is the link to the initial page, https://opvetnow.org/af-security-forces They honored A2C Roy Hursey that weekend in Michigan, basically the page content increases as the season goes on.

SSgt Terance Jensen was honored in Shakopee, MN 12-13 January 2024; Sgt Ira Lord was honored 26-27 January 2024 in Deadwood, SD; Sgt Robert Gray was honored in Salamanca, NY 16-17 February 2024; TSgt Thomas Campbell was honored in Souix Falls, SD 1-2 March 2024; Capt Reginald Maisey Jr. was honored in Lake Geneva, WI 15-16 March 2024 and TSgt Robert Butler was honored in Elk River, MN 22-23 March 2024. A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson will be honored in Duluth, MN 5-7 April 2024.

Graphics are posted 5-days before each event on their social media page and website where they will have a web page dedicated to our heroes, with photos and stories.  The heroes' names and photos will also be shown on the jumbotron and televisions at the event, and on live streams of the races.

Local Security Forces Civilian Defender Graduates from FBI National Academy

Schriever SFB, CO - On October 5, 2023, the 50th Security Forces Squadron announced that Mr. Allan C. Sacdalan, Deputy Director, has graduated as a member of the 287th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on September 14th, 2023.  Mr. Sacdalan is the first Civilian Defender in the squadron and in the Air Force Security Forces Civilian Career Field’s history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 287th session consisted of one hundred and ninety-nine law enforcement officers from 46 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, four military organizations, and three federal civilian organizations. FBI Director Christopher Asher Wray delivered remarks at the ceremony.

“The opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself for any Security Forces Defender.  Mr. Sacdalan also has the privilege of being an elite few civilian members of the Air Force to be selected to attend this prestigious course and absolutely crushed it!  We could not be prouder of him as well as look forward the insight and knowledge to more effectively operate with our inter-agency partners Allan brings back to the Fightin’ 5-0!  These skill sets are incredibly important to the fabric of base defense and law enforcement operations protecting the epicenter of space operations at Schriever and the greater Front Range area” Major Dayne Foote, 50th Security Forces Commander.

Mr. Sacdalan is the unit’s Deputy Director and Department of the Air Force Civilian Police Program Manager.  He expertly directs and manages an integrated active-duty security force and civilian police of 220 personnel.  He exercises personnel management activities (hiring, performance appraisals, awards, pay and leave, training and resources) and establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with nine agencies.  Mr. Sacdalan is a retired Security Forces Commander.

About the 50th Security Forces Squadron:
The squadron protects 34 protection-level resources and more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel assigned to Schriever AFB. The 50th SFS provides physical security, force protection measures and law enforcement services and assists commanders in maintaining good order and discipline. It monitors physical security programs supporting 12 Geographically Separated Units. The squadron also mobilizes security forces supporting higher headquarters and national objectives.

About the FBI National Academy:
FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 54,565 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

General Officer Announcement

On 27 October 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nomination:

Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman for appointment to the grade of major general.  Sherman is currently serving as the director, Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C

On 5 December 2023 -- Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman was promoted to Major General! Congrats Defender ... well done!!!!