Deputy fire chief retired by son

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  After nearly 28 years of service to his country, a Team Tyndall Airman was retired by his son in a ceremony Jan. 28 at the Flight Line Fire Station.

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Maher, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent and deputy fire chief, was retired by his son, 2nd Lt. Christopher Maher, a combat systems officer candidate assigned to Combat Systems Officer school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

Throughout Sergeant Maher's career he worked in many different aspects of the fire department. He worked as a fire protection specialist and fire protection driver/operator then moved on to become a fire inspector, before advancing to supervisory positions.

Sergeant Maher was assigned to Tyndall in October 2008 as squadron superintendent and deputy fire chief. He is responsible for the daily operations of five fire and emergency services, flight elements comprised of 49 military personnel and 21 civilians, and for four stations and 19 vehicles.

Sergeant Maher shared an abundance of memories with his son, Lieutenant Maher, traveling around the world from his duty stations, specifically Japan.

"As a child, Chris loved coming to the station and climbing on the vehicles and seeing the aircraft on the ramp," said Sergeant Maher.

When stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan they caught a military space available flight to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa on a C-130 Hercules. A friend of Sergeant Maher's was a loadmaster on the flight and took Lieutenant Maher up into the cockpit during the flight.

"I loved being an Air Force brat (dependent) and was so proud of my father's service that I wanted to serve just like him," said Lieutenant Maher.

"My father was the biggest influence on me joining the Air Force," said Lieutenant Maher. "I can't thank my dad enough for the 28 years of service he's done for our country and also for the inspiration, support, and the role model he is for me."

Lieutenant Maher graduated from New Mexico State University and commissioned from Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 505 in May 2009. Sergeant Maher was there for his son's commissioning and welcome him into the Air Force.

"My greatest memory is that my dad was my first salute as an officer when I commissioned," said Lieutenant Maher.

"Now that I am in the Air Force, he's the prime example of the senior noncommissioned officer that second lieutenants are always told to seek out to be our mentor and learn from," said Lieutenant Maher. "I could not be more proud to follow in his footsteps."

"I think it is appropriate that my influences started his Air Force career and his to transition mine," said Sergeant Maher. "I am leaving the Air Force in good hands."