COMACC inducted into Order of the Sword

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --   Air Combat Command's enlisted force honored its commander Oct. 22 with induction into the Order of the Sword.

Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, who has commanded ACC since November 2001, is the third ACC leader to be inducted into the command's Order of the Sword.

"This ancient ceremony honors an Airmen's Airman and a leader among leaders," said Chief Master Sgt. Rodney E. Ellison, ACC command chief master sergeant. "(It) is a most fitting event for a man who has led and sacrificed for his country for more than 36 years while always taking care of those who take care of the mission."

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 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.

In his remarks, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray said General Hornburg is defined by his "exceptional character" and "constitution that drives us."

"General Hornburg is an advocate for the enlisted corps," he said. "He's left an indelible impression on the Air Force. His slogan 'People First-Mission Always' is more than just words; it's a marching order."

Chief Murray summarized General Hornburg's deeds as ACC commander. The general made quality of life a priority in the command, with upgrades to dormitories, libraries and fitness centers, and he set aside funding to repair, upgrade or build new running tracks at every ACC base. He promoted the personal and professional development of NCOs, and encouraged partnership between NCOs and officers. He also invested time, effort and dollars to retaining the Air Force's "greatest asset - our Airmen."

As part of the induction ceremony, the thankful ACC enlisted corps presented General Hornburg with a sword, a citation, a portrait, and a proclamation scroll, which was signed by every enlisted member who attended the ceremony. The enlisted corps also honored the general's wife, Cynthia, for the role she played in supporting her husband. They presented her a silver bowl and made a $500 donation to the Air Force Village in her name.

"For once, I'm almost speechless," he said. "But not quite. I can't accept this honor and all that comes with it without adequately saying thanks.

"(This is) truly the greatest honor as a member of the U.S. Air Force," the general said.

The Order of the Sword comes from people who are heroes, General Hornburg said. The hero is known for deeds. A hero is a big man. The enlisted corps is made up of heroes who do their work everyday for little money and no thanks. They dream big dreams and make them come true while providing service to the nation.

"I accept this honor with such pride," he said. "I hope and pray I've duly earned it. It's the highest honor any leader could achieve."

The general joins Gen. John Loh and Gen. Richard Hawley as the only ACC commanders to be inducted into the Order of the Sword. General Loh was inducted in February 1995, and General Hawley joined him in April 1999.

Master Sgt. Dawn Collazo contributed to this report.