Order of the Sword: Dover Airmen participate in ‘highest enlisted honor’

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A contingent of 24 enlisted Team Dover Airmen traveled west to honor the Air Mobility Command commander during his induction into the Order of the Sword ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Sept. 6.

Honored was Gen. Duncan McNabb, who became only the eighth officer in AMC to receive the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow upon a leader.

The Order of the Sword is an ancient tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe. The special ceremony came to the United States around the time of the Revolutionary War. For years after, it lay dormant until the 1860's, when Gen. Robert E. Lee was presented a sword by his command. In 1967, Air Force non-commissioned officers revised, updated and adopted the Order of the Sword.

The Airmen of Team Dover gathered with more than 400 other Airmen from across the command in the Scott Club ballroom to honor General McNabb, who was selected for the honor as a result of his "tremendous leadership and concern for the enlisted Airmen of Air Mobility Command," said Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Barron, AMC command chief. "Those who have had the privilege of serving with him daily understand that his effect on the enlisted community has been both profound and enduring."

To be selected and honored by being inducted into the Order of the Sword, a leader must personify the symbolic meaning of the NCO sword, which symbolizes truth, justice and rightfully-used power.

In this case, General McNabb was singled out as being a general among generals, leader among leaders, man among men and always loyal to the enlisted corps.

"Not a day went by nor a decision made without General McNabb asking the question, 'What impact will this have on our Airmen and their families?'" said Chief Barron. "In spite of scarce resources and funding, General McNabb found ways to improve our work environments, upgrade fitness center and equipment facilities, remodel and provide new furnishings to dormitories, secure funding for extended child care services, renovate Airman Centers and take the lead in housing privatization. The list goes on and on."

After dining, the Scott Club ballroom doors were closed; no one was allowed to enter or leave and the ceremony commenced.

Chief Barron, the 'Sergeant Major' called his 'First Sergeant', 'Duty Sergeant' and 'Sergeant at Arms' to their respective places. Thereafter, the 'Guardians of the Sword,' Chief Master Sergeants Peggy Savage, Michael Williams and Steven Maynard, entered the ballroom carrying over their shoulders' the sword, a six-foot, highly-polished stainless steel weapon with a gold handle and delicate details.

After the presentation of the sword, the general was honored with other icons, to include a proclamation signed by all Airmen in attendance, swearing an oath of loyalty to General McNabb. After receipt of the scroll, the general was left almost speechless.

Still, in the tradition of the other recipients in years gone by, the general mustered up the words to continue. He spoke of his pride for AMC as "one of our country's true crown jewels." Also, like those leaders before him, General McNabb gave the credit to those he led.

"Every 90 seconds to 2 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, an Air Mobility Command aircraft with a beautiful U.S. flag on its tail takes to the air," said General McNabb. "And, it is all made possible by dedicated professionals like you: aerial porters, maintainers, aircrews, command and control folks and every operations [and] mission support Airman who proudly wears the AMC patch.

"It takes all of AMC, working together as a total force team, to provide unrivaled global reach for America," he continued. "And, what you do is more than provide rapid, flexible, and responsive air mobility.

"By building our air bridge, our tanker bridge and our aeromedical bridge, you absolutely influence and shape world events. You also symbolize the confidence and pride of our great nation and hope to freedom-loving people around the world ... and you literally save lives!"

AMC's air, tanker and aeromedical bridges provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling, special air missions and aeromedical evacuation. AMC also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world.

"Of all the things that made me feel best about being AMC commander it was the fact that I could go and find a number of young Airmen who said, 'Here's what we did today to make our Air Force better,'" the general said.

The day after receiving the Order of the Sword, the general relinquished command of AMC. After 22 months of commanding AMC, General McNabb moves on to become the Air Force vice chief of staff.

(Some information provided by AMC Public Affairs)