Airmen and Guardians in the Fight
This transcript is made possible through the sponsorship of Schneider Electric
CMSAF #14 Gerald Murray, USAF (Ret.):
Thank you. Well, good morning everyone. This bright and early morning here as we kick off the final day
of most historic Warfare Symposium and just happy to see everyone here and especially a pleasure to
be here with two fellow chiefs, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne Bass, and the Chief
Master Sergeant of the Space Force, John Bentivegna. So... Absolutely.
So we were also together just a few days ago as well, and of course for a little different and certainly
more somber occasion, but also one of celebration as we were at Lackland Air Force Base for the funeral
and internment of our fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Bob Gaylor. And I'll tell you that we
wish all of you could have been there. It was one of the most memorable memorials and celebrations of
life that I think I have ever attended. And Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Bass delivered an
incredibly eloquent eulogy of Chief Gaylor's life, 93 years and over 73 years of service. And Chief Bass, if
you would, please maybe share what Chief Gaylor meant to us.
CMSAF JoAnne Bass:
I would love to. First off, good morning AFA. You can tell this is day three. Hey, real quick. Thank you,
Gerald. It really was an honor to be able to honor CMSAF 5 and his family. He actually served over 75
years, 31 in uniform, 44 years afterward. He was a defender by trade and then an MTI and then our
CMSAF. He has timeless leadership lessons that many of you all know. Many of you have heard his
stories like what?
Hot fries, name on the mailbox, attitude, aptitude and opportunities. And so what's amazing about Chief
Master Sergeant of the Air Force #5, Bob Gaylor, is his lessons are timeless and they will be forever
remembered. If you've never heard of Bob Gaylor, I would ask you just Google him. You will see his
Wednesdays with the chief. He is a man who served honorably and well and took on his nation's calling.
And so it was really an honor to be able to recognize our beloved Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
5. And it was really great to also have the on the Space Force there to honor him as well.
CMSSF John Bentivegna:
Yeah, I was an Airman for 26 years before I became a Guardian and the influence and impact he had on
me and several of the other senior enlisted leaders across the Space Force who were Airmen prior to
that. But as you said, it was very fitting. There was a lot of laughing, some crying, a lot of storytelling, but
I think it was very appropriate. I think he'd been very, very happy for our chance to get together and
honor his legacy and what he did. But as you said, it was an emotional couple of days, but it was
phenomenal. It was a great tribute to a great man.
CMSAF #14 Gerald Murray, USAF (Ret.):
Well, as you know, Sherry couldn't be there, but she watched it live and she sent me a text during that
time and she said there's no doubt that everyone that was there we're served hot french fries as she
cried and laughed her way through that. We will miss him. So thank you very much. Well, again, thank
you all for being here. I think it is very fitting to be able to have both the chiefs here to be able to take
and provide inputs and about their direction and priorities here. So Chiefs, of course on Monday,
Secretary of the Air Force, Kendall, Undersecretary Jones and both General Allvin and General Saltzman,
