DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – -- Former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley arrived at Dyess Feb. 9 for a visit of the base and to speak at the Dyess Annual Awards Banquet.
McKinley met with Airmen assigned to the 317th Airlift Group and 7th Bomb Wing and was given a tour of the base facilities, which allowed him to witness firsthand how Dyess takes care of its Airmen.
The visit began with a base tour with stops at the 317th AG, Armed Forces Reserve Center, 7th Medical Group, the First Term Airmen Center and other Dyess facilities and workstations.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Dyess,” McKinley said. “Visiting the Airmen is a tremendous opportunity to provide advice and share the experiences I’ve had during my career.”
McKinley began his career in 1974 as an emergency room technician. In 1977 he separated the Air Force before rejoining in 1982 as an aircraft maintainer.
“Knowing what I know now, I would have not gotten out of the Air Force in 1977,” McKinley said. “But, if I had never left I may have never became the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. When I came back in, I was completely motivated to be the best Airman I could be.”
McKinley worked his way up to become a dedicated crew chief in 1987 before assuming first sergeant duties from 1991 to 2001. McKinley was then selected in 2001 as the command chief for the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Along with Ramstein, he served as command chief for the 1st Fighter Wing Langley Air Force Base, Va., 11th Air Force and Pacific Air Forces.
In June 2006, McKinley was selected as the 15th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force before retiring in 2009.
For the last event during McKinley’s visit, he spoke at the Dyess Annual Awards Banquet where he emphasized the importance of leadership and Air Force heritage.
“You don’t have to be a great book of knowledge on heritage to be a good leader,” said McKinley. “But if you are a leader and motivating your Airmen, you really need to help develop that Airman to be proud of the Air Force and its great heritage.”