Air Force Mourns the Loss of Ninth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force

CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE JAMES C. BINNICKER

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The ninth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker passed away March 21 in Calhoun, Ga.

Chief Binnicker was born in Orangeburg, S.C., on July 23, 1938. He was a leader and an Airman from the day he first joined the Civil Air Patrol as a high school freshman. His childhood dream was to become a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, but in August 1957, after doctors discovered high-frequency hearing loss in his right ear, he decided to enlist in the personal equipment – later called life support – career field. As a young Airman he found himself on the flight line with B-52s, KC-135s and fellow Airmen who became mentors and role models and put him on the path that would lead to his selection as the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force in 1986.

“Chief Binnicker was an iconic Airman who truly elevated the status of our Senior NCOs,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. “He was an innovator and a leader who cared deeply about Airmen. His legacy lives on today and is carried forward by the professional enlisted force we have serving our nation. For that, and so much more, we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He and his family are in our thoughts on this very sad day for our Air Force.”

“He was a leader in every room he entered,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody. “That was the case during his time in uniform and well after he retired. We often speak of legends, those Airmen who have gone before us and built the platforms from which we stand and fight today…Chief Binnicker is a legend among those legends. His impact on our Air Force is everlasting and we will truly miss his leadership, counsel and friendship.”

Binnicker’s Air Force career spanned 33 years and a variety of roles. By 1964 he had crossed-trained into air operations and was planning flights for missions going to Vietnam. He later deployed to the warzone and served in the 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron from 1968 to 1969. He quickly moved up the ranks and began serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, 12th Air Force and, later, Pacific Air Forces and Tactical Air Command.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter established the President’s Commission on Military Compensation and, on the recommendation of then Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas Barnes, Binnicker became the sole enlisted member on the commission. However, following Binnicker’s suggestion, the commission later added enlisted representatives from the other services.

Chief Binnicker served in the Air Force’s top enlisted position from July 1, 1986 to July 31, 1990. During his tenure he led the transformation from the Airman Performance Report to the Enlisted Performance Report, and developed the performance feedback system. He also worked to have Master Sergeants admitted to the SNCO Academy and to increase the opportunities for minorities and women throughout the Air Force.

Chief Binnicker retired Aug. 1, 1990, but his heart never left the Air Force. He continued traveling around the world to speak with Airmen in different forums including professional military education courses. In 2000, he was selected as the CEO and President of the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Fl., and spent the next 15 years working tirelessly to provide more than 400 residents a loving, secure place to call home.

“Chief Binnicker spent his lifetime serving our Nation and the Air Force he loved,” said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. “From the first moment he stepped onto a flightline it was clear he was an Air Force leader and would become a tremendous spokesman and advocate for our enlisted force. He was a man of honor and commitment to things greater than himself. His passing is mourned by all Airmen, past and present, around the globe.”

Chief Binnicker was always proud to wear the enlisted chevrons. He firmly believed enlisted Airmen should be given more responsibility and have the freedom to voice their opinion and be involved in the decision process. When asked years ago how he would like to be remembered, he answered, “That I did my best. I would hope most people would say the same thing…and that’s all you can do. That’s all that the country can ask of you…that you do your best.”

                                                                                                            ASSIGNMENTS

1. August 1957, trainee, Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

2. September 1957 – 1963, life support specialist, 96th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

3. 1963 – July 1964, air operations specialist, 816th Strategic Aerospace Division, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

4. July 1964 – August 1967, noncommissioned officer in charge, wing operations, 1502nd Air Transport Wing (later became 61st Military Airlift Wing), Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii

5. August 1967 – August 1968, noncommissioned officer in charge, base operations, 4th Strategic Aerospace Division, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.

6. August 1968 – September 1969, noncommissioned officer in charge, base operations, 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, Binh Thuy Air Base, Republic of Vietnam; and language instructor, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Language School, Saigon

7. September 1969 – May 1971, air operations superintendent, 58th Military Airlift Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

8. May 1971 – August 1972, noncommissioned officer in charge, wing operations, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan

9. August 1972 – September 1975, operations superintendent, base sergeant major and wing senior enlisted adviser, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

10. September 1975 – October 1977, senior enlisted adviser, 12th Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas

11. October 1977 – April 1978, Air Force enlisted representative and senior enlisted adviser on the President’s Commission on Military Compensation 12. April 1978 – June 1978, senior enlisted adviser,

12th Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas

13. June 1978 – Jun 1981, senior enlisted adviser to the commander in chief, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii

14. June 1981 – May 1982, chief, enlisted retention division, Headquarters Manpower and Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

15. May 1982 – May 1985, assistant for chief master sergeant matters, Headquarters Manpower and Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

16. May 1985 – July 1986, senior enlisted adviser to the commander, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

17. July 1986 – July 1990, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.