COMACC to be inducted into Order of the Sword

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Chief master sergeants assigned to Headquarters, Air Combat Command surprised their boss, Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, ACC commander, with an invitation to be inducted into ACCs Order of the Sword during a meeting here July 27.

The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow on a leader, said Chief Master Sgt. Rodney E. Ellison, ACC command chief. ACC Airmen are saying Here is a great leader.

During the meeting, the chiefs ushered in the generals wife, Cynthia, before formally presenting the invitation to the ceremony -- the exact date and location of the event have not been determined.

The general was visibly moved by the invitation.

I cant tell you how truly honored I am by this. Ive always believed the enlisted corps is at the very heart of what we do, and Ive always held you in the highest esteem, said General Hornburg.

Chief Ellison described the ACC commander as An Airmans Airman.

General Hornburgs slogan of People First-Mission Always is more than just words on a wall; he genuinely believes this and consistently backs up these words with actions, the chief said. He has proven, time and time again, that he is definitely worthy of receiving the highest recognition the enlisted men and women can bestow upon their leader.

Historical records show the Order of the Sword started unofficially in the 1500s. In 1522, King Gustavus the First 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 those special leaders who take great pride and show great concern for the enlisted corps.

Nothing could honor me more, the general said. Im speechless.