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Enlisted members give highest honor to AETC commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The commander of Air Education and Training Command received the highest honor the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow at a formal ceremony in San Antonio May 30. 

Gen. William R. Looney III was formally presented the Order of the Sword on behalf of the men and women of AETC by the Air Force's top enlisted member, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, and Chief Master Sgt. Mark Luzader, AETC command chief master sergeant. 

The Order of the Sword is patterned after an order of chivalry founded during the Middle Ages: the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword. Ancient noncommissioned officers would honor leaders and pledge loyalty by ceremoniously presenting them with a sword. The sword -- a symbol of truth, justice, and power rightfully used -- served as a token of esteemed leadership. 

According to Chief McKinley, General Looney's long history of caring for enlisted members made him an ideal recipient for the honor. 

"General Looney did not begin caring for the enlisted force just when he arrived at AETC," Chief McKinley said at the ceremony. "He has been taking care of enlisted men and women for a very long time." 

Turning to the general, Chief McKinley said, "Sir, you truly deserve this great honor." 

As AETC commander, General Looney has made it a priority to secure funding for quality of life initiatives at the bases under his command. During his tenure, he continued the FOCUS program begun in 2002, which targets money for specific quality of life areas. 

Most recently, in Fiscal 2007, the general set aside $2 million for fitness projects, programs and equipment across the command, saying, "Our commitment is to fund not only our daily business of recruiting, training and educating, but also quality-of-life programs for the command's most valuable asset -- our people." 

General Looney has also taken a personal interest in wounded Airmen returning to San Antonio for treatment and rehabilitation. 

"As I look back, I think of individuals such as Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro, Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon, and Senior Airman Dan Acosta, who went into harm's way willingly and suffered grievous, grievous injuries," the general said. "And when I met them and went to console them, I was the one who was inspired and motivated. 

"The only thing they asked of me was 'General, can you please find a way to get me back and keep me in the Air Force?'" he said. "As I left that hospital, I thought to myself, 'Am I worthy of Del Toro ... Acosta ... Slaydon?'" 

The general said being presented the Order of the Sword is a highlight of his life. 

"It will be a memory that will last forever -- even in the twilight of my life. I will look back on this night and remember every piece and every act and every event that occurred and the honor that you have bestowed upon me," General Looney said. "And I thank you for that!" 

General Looney is set to retire this summer, after more than 36 years of service.