CMSAF becomes honorary master chief.

PETALUMA, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray became an honorary master chief petty officer at the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy graduation here in April.

Chief Murray spoke at the ceremony to salute four Airmen graduates.

"What a great honor to be recognized by this sister service," he said. "It gives us great encouragement to see how an organization such as our Coast Guard has stood the test of time and evolved to meet the demands of the world today."

During his remarks, the chief emphasized the importance of capitalizing on each other's strengths in today's security environment.

"Joint education allows us to learn more about each other's culture, heritage, organization and language in an academic environment," he said. "We then can take what we learned and apply it in joint operations, in the field or operational environment. It allows us to work together in these environments with a little more knowledge of each other."

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Frank Welch also attended the graduation.

"Not any single service has all the responsibilities to protect American interests to the degree we jointly can," he said. "The Air Force offers a fresh viewpoint on organizational issues."

The academy reserves 30 slots a year for Air Force senior noncommissioned officers, and 10 Coast Guard chief petty officers attend the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Gunter Annex. Ala.

Senior Airman Alice Moore

60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs