Air Force leaders name next top enlisted leader

  • Published
WASHINGTON --  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley have announced the Airman selected to be the service's next enlisted leader.

Chief Master Sergeant James A. Roy will become the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during an appointment ceremony on June 30, 2009, which will coincide with Chief McKinley's retirement.

"This is a good day for all Airmen," General Schwartz said. "While they will lose a tremendous leader and advocate in Chief McKinley, they gain a worthy successor in Chief Roy. Given his record and reputation, I am confident that Chief Roy will carry the best interests of our Air Force family forward to our nation's leaders as we support today's joint fight and rebalance our force for the challenges ahead."

Chief Roy and his wife Paula will come to the Pentagon from Camp Smith, Hawaii, where the chief currently serves as the senior enlisted leader and advisor to the U.S. Pacific Command combatant commander, representing more than 200,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

Chief Roy joined the Air Force in 1982. His career includes assignments as a heavy equipment operator in the civil engineer career field and then in leadership positions at the squadron, group, and numbered air force levels. He has served as the command chief master sergeant at wings in Air Education and Training Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command. He was also deployed as the command chief master sergeant of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. Prior to assuming his current position he was the command chief master sergeant for U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Chief McKinley will retire next month after serving for 30 years. He has served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force since June 30, 2006.

"Chief McKinley has devoted his entire adult life to our Air Force and to taking care of Airmen and their families," General Schwartz said. "He has accomplished so much throughout his career, but as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, he and his wife Paula have made monumental contributions." 

Stay with www.302aw.afrc.af.mil for the latest news and information.