Officials name next chief master sergeant of the Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley have announced the Airman selected to be the service’s next top enlisted leader.

Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy will become the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force during an appointment ceremony June 30, to coincide with Chief McKinley’s retirement.

“This is a good day for all Airmen,” General Schwartz said. “While they will lose a tremendous leader and advocate in Chief McKinley, they gain a worthy successor in Chief Roy. Given his record and reputation, I am confident that Chief Roy will carry the best interests of our Air Force family forward to our nation’s leaders as we support today’s joint fight and rebalance our force for the challenges ahead.”

Chief Roy and his wife, Paula, will come to the Pentagon from Camp Smith, Hawaii, where the chief currently serves as the senior enlisted leader and adviser to the U.S. Pacific Command combatant commander, representing more than 200,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

Chief McKinley will retire next month after serving for 30 years. He has served as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force since June 30, 2006.

(Courtesy of the Armed Forces News Service)