NCO Academy awarded for educational achievement

  • Published
  • Paul W. Airey NCO Academy
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Paul W. Airey NCO Academy was presented the 2008 General Muir S. Fairchild Award Oct. 28 by the Barnes Center Commander, Col. Wade Johnson, and the Air University Command Chief Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sgt Byre McMillion.

Air University's Commander, Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck, announced the academy as the recipient of the award for educational achievement on June 18.

The Fairchild Award was established in 1964 by the Order of Daedalians to recognize outstanding educational achievement within the Air University. The academy is the first enlisted academic institution to receive the award in the past 45 years of formal recognition.

"We couldn't be more proud of the contributions enlisted professional military education brings to the nations fight for freedom," said Colonel Johnson. "Our enlisted cadre leads from the front, and the Airey academy is a shining example of that high standard of dedication and professionalism."

During the award period, the academy educated more than 1,300 active duty, National Guard, and Air Force Reserve technical sergeants from 13 bases and various component units across the Department of Defense. Known for its precise attention to detail, the academy was selected by the Barnes Center directorate to scrutinize the 2008 procedural guidance before official publication to the field.

The academy's precise input affects 72 Airman Leadership Schools, nine NCO academies, the senior NCO academy and chief's leadership course, and directly impacts more than 31,000 graduates annually. Additionally, the academy staff forward deployed an instructor to Camp Taji, Iraq, as part of a two-person advisory team designed to establish the first ever Professional Military Education course for the Iraqi Warrant Officer Corps.

The grass-roots program highlighted leadership, problem solving, and critical thinking skills; ideals never before explored by the Iraqi military regime. This program is now the benchmark for all future Iraqi military educational programs and was the cornerstone for the United States Air Force's cultural awareness training initiative.

"Chief Master Sgt of the Air Force Paul W. Airey was so proud of all enlisted Airmen, and he recognized and fought for continued education for all Airmen," said Airey NCO Academy Commandant, Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm W. McVicar. "He was especially proud of this academy, his academy, and counted it's renaming in his honor as one of the highlights of his career. He would be particularly proud of this staff, and so am I."

"Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul W. Airey had two favorite words that he reminded all Airmen to live by to ensure success no matter the endeavor--Duty and Zeal," said Airey NCO Academy Director of Education, Senior Master Sgt. Ray Greebon. "Those who knew him best agree that he lived by those ideals each and every day. The Airey NCO Academy also lives up to those same ideals with a proven track record of excellence, now a matter of historic record and a standard to live by. Congratulations Airey NCO Academy, and remember the motto: "Airey--Always First!"