CMSAF McKinley begins, ends Air Force career at Seymour

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force returned to his first duty station for a tour of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., June 12, 2009. 

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley began his Air Force career as an emergency room technician here in 1974. This was the chief's last base visit before his retirement June 30. 

"As CMSAF, I've had the opportunity to visit bases all around the world, and visit our Airmen to hear what's on their minds and also see areas where I could possibly help," Chief McKinley said. "During my tenure as CMSAF, I never made it to Seymour Johnson so I thought this would be a great way to finish up. This would be my last base to visit because it was my first base as an Airman." 

Coming back to Seymour Johnson was a special experience for the chief. 

"Coming back here is very special to me because of my memories here as a very young Airman," said Chief McKinley. "The dormitory I lived in is still here. It's actually now the Airman and Family Readiness Center, but I lived in that dorm back then. I worked in the hospital, so it was neat to walk into the hospital and see the different areas, some of them I recognize and some of them I don't." 

The chief left Seymour Johnson in 1977, and a lot has changed since then. 

"When I was here before it was a SAC/TAC (Strategic Air Command/Tactical Air Command) base. It is now an ACC (Air Combat Command) base and we still have KC-135s here," he said. "We had those here when I was here, but back then, we also had B-52s and F-4s. Now we have the great Strike Eagle." 

The chief believes that with the F-15E Strike Eagle, Seymour Johnson is a powerful base in today's fight. 

"When you look through the history and heritage of the Air Force, the 4th Fighter Wing is everywhere," he said. "The base is continuing to evolve and improve. It's a beautiful base and it's great to see all the changes." 

In his 30 years of active-duty service, Chief McKinley has gathered many memories, but one in particular sticks out. 

"October 14, 2006," he said. "That is when we dedicated the Air Force Memorial to the 55,000 Airmen we have lost in combat. Without a doubt that is my number one best memory." 

Since June 2006, when the chief took the title of the highest enlisted Airman in the U.S. Air Force, he has achieved many things. But his top achievement is the Airmen of today's Air Force. 

"I don't focus on my achievements as CMSAF. I focus on Airmen," Chief McKinley said. "My greatest accomplishment is the Airmen and all the great things our Airmen are doing out there across the world. I take a lot of pride in what our Airmen are doing and I just hope I can do things that can help them succeed." 

After his retirement, Chief McKinley plans to move to Oklahoma City, Okla., with his wife and "go be a grandpa." However, he will still work to help Airmen in any way he can. 

"I will always be an Airman. As a former CMSAF, I'm sure I will be involved with things other CMSAFs do," he said. "I will start a new career and have the opportunity to work with the VA (Veteran's Affairs), Wounded Warriors, and still be able to get out there and do things to help Airmen."