CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- After 30 years of service, Air Commandos said farewell to Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, at his retirement ceremony Oct. 3 here.
The ceremony was brimming with military tradition as 27 SOW commander Col. Tony Bauernfeind entertained the audience—ranging from airmen to colonels and military to DoD civilians to family—with Henderson’s impressive record of professional military education, awards and leadership.
“He got nothing but recognition for his service,” Bauernfeind stated, “and he clearly excelled in all regards.”
The chief got his fundamentals in basic military training in 1984, working as an aerospace ground equipment mechanic, and later cross-trained as a flight engineer before rising among the ranks to become an instructor in the late eighties.
At Cannon, Henderson served as the superintendent of the then brand new 27th Special Operations Group before returning several years later to fill the role of command chief for the wing.
Since June 2012, he has guided Air Commandos through such opportunities as deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, a government shutdown, and the everyday challenges of balancing personal and professional life at installation where lethality is standard and excellence is the expectation.
Several cohorts from Henderson’s long career stood up to aid Bauernfeind in recognizing some of Henderson’s best qualities, taking turns to laud him for his unique blend of dedication to mission execution, airman accountability and the welfare of troops.
“You have been the consummate quiet professional,” stated Chief Master Sgt. Matt Caruso, Air Force Special Operations Command command chief. “I’ve been watching your career and trying to follow in your footsteps for years.”
“I really believe that the culture and the character of an organization are directly reflected in the culture and character of its leaders, especially senior leaders,” Caruso continued. “We’ve got an environment where our airmen and families can thrive because of this man right here [directing remarks at Henderson]. Nobody cares more.”
The ceremony took an emotional turn when Bauernfeind and Henderson recognized Tami Henderson with a military spouse medal, acknowledging her dedication to her family, her community, and all of Cannon’s Air Commandos. The crowd rose to give her a standing ovation as she received the medal and certificates of appreciation from Bauernfeind and signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III.
Bauernfeind concluded his remarks by evoking the Airman’s Creed, easily fitting Henderson’s life and work into the framework of the Air Force’s highest values and principles.
“What do thirty years represent?” Bauernfeind asked the crowd. “In the case of command chief Henderson, they represent a tradition of honor, and more importantly a tradition of excellence. That excellence isn’t just about all of your awards, it’s about all of the airmen you have mentored, and the awards and accolades they have received.”
“Chief, you have been our nation’s sword and shield,” Bauernfeind continued, “Whether it was Europe during the Cold War, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Africa, leading in Iraq and Afghanistan, or leading here at the 27 SOW.”
“And finally, 30 years represent an amazing legacy, not only of valor, but of excellence, of taking care of your airmen through your dedication,” Bauernfeind concluded. “It’s an amazing legacy that you should be proud of and that we all will carry on. Command chief, it has been an absolute honor to serve with you, and trust me when I say you’ve had a memorable and lasting impact on us all.”