LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 1st Medical Group conference room was quiet, as wide-eyed Airmen sat around the large oak table, their gazes focused intently towards the front of the room. A smiling, gray-haired gentleman sat relaxed, looking out at the group.
"I feel very honored to still be a part of what you do," said the man, fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be traveling the Air Force 30 years later."
During his visit, Chief Gaylor visited several units, including the 27th Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st MDG and 1st Operations Group. At each unit, he spent considerable time sharing unique and valuable leadership lessons and anecdotes from his storied 31-year Air Force career.
"It's not often a base gets the opportunity to host a former CMSAF," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Slater, 1st FW command chief. "When that former CMSAF is Bob Gaylor, it's even better."
Chief Gaylor said his biggest hope is Airmen enjoy and get the most out of their career.
"I want all Airmen to look back at their time in the Air Force, whether it be four years or thirty-four years, and be able to say 'that was time well spent,'" he said. "When I speak with young Airmen, my ultimate goal is to get them to think."
Chief Slater said Chief Gaylor does just that. "Chief Gaylor connects with every Airman, from E-1 to O-10," he said. "He gets it ... when you consider he's been retired from the Air Force for 30 years, he still speaks Air Force blue. It's as though he never left."
One of the insights Chief Gaylor presented to Airmen was his comparison of modern base operations to those performed during his time in service. He applauded Airmen for utilizing sophisticated technology and overcoming manpower reductions to accomplish the mission.
"You all are doing more with less," he said to Airmen from the 1st OG. "Today's Air Force is doing the best job they've ever done."
Senior Airman Trayshawn Humphries, 1st Security Forces Squadron patrolman, expressed his appreciation for Chief Gaylor's visit. "It's good he came out," he said. "Not every Airman can meet a CMSAF. It lets us know he cares."
"It's a good feeling that he's here," said Senior Airman Michael Ornelaz, 1st SFS, in agreement. "It seems the further we go along, the further we get away from our history. It's good he's here to help bridge the gap."
Chief Gaylor, the oldest living CMSAF, also provided Langley's enlisted leadership with words of wisdom and principles to apply in their development as military managers. His lessons included several intuitive teaching tools, such as his "Four T's of the Air Force: training, technology, tribe and trust," which he said "build an upgraded, better Air Force."
Chief Gaylor also stressed the importance of professional military education and the necessity of improving the enlisted performance report system. He further recommended senior NCOs encourage their subordinates to provide feedback, citing it as "an invaluable tool in the development of the effective leader, military or civilian."
Langley is the 23rd base Chief Gaylor has visited this year, and his second time in 2009, having been here in May.
"The 1st FW has as great a reputation as any wing in the Air Force," he said, having visited Langley for the first time in 1975. "I have had great trips to Langley, a lot of great experiences. I truly enjoy interacting with our Airmen. I see the amazing job they do, and all I can say is 'wow.'"