COMPACAF presented Order of the Sword

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Gustavo Gonzalez
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Enlisted Pacific Air Forces Airmen gathered here to induct Gen. Gary North, PACAF commander, into the command's Order of the Sword, Aug. 26.

The Order of the Sword is the highest honor and tribute noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual. It is patterned after two orders of chivalry founded during the Middle Ages in Europe and still in existence today -- the Royal Order of the Sword and the Swedish Military Order of the Sword.

In 1522, King Gustavus I of Sweden, enjoined the noblemen he commissioned to appoint officers to serve him -- accountants, builders, craftsmen, teachers, scribes and others responsible for conducting the ordinary daily affairs of the kingdom. The system worked so well it was incorporated into the Swedish army as a way to establish and maintain a cohesive, disciplined, well-trained force to protect lives and property in the kingdom. These ancient NCOs would honor their leader and pledge their loyalty by presenting him with a sword.

U.S. Air Force NCOs revised and updated the Order of the Sword ceremony and adopted it in 1967. Since then, the rare honor of receiving it has only been accorded to leaders who are recognized for taking great pride and showing great concern for the enlisted corps. North became the 15th person to receive the honor.

"It's all about Airmen honoring Airmen," North said. "It's a humbling experience. It's a privilege to serve among you and your family. To serve our Air Force and to serve our nation in both peacetime and combat is one of the greatest privileges any American can have."

The general distinguished himself by dedicating more than $149.8 million to improve PACAF's Airmen quality of life. Furthermore, he stood up three joint bases in the Pacific to include Joint Region Marianas, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. He also cultivated and fostered command-wide total force integration, partnering Activity Duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen.

The ceremony's attendees included the 16th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy.

"It's an honor to be here," Roy said. "His concern for people and his ability to put people at ease is remarkable. We hope that all Airmen would care for people this way. On behalf of all Airmen, thank you for your leadership."

According to North, he is just another Airman in a long line of Airmen -- one who's thrilled with the honor to continue to serve.

"Your dedicated service, your trust, your faith and your confidence in me and the privileges I have had, specifically to be afforded to serve along side of you, is the greatest privilege that an officer could ever have," he said.