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Grand Forks civic leader named honorary chief master sergeant

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A longtime ambassador to the base was given the title of "honorary chief master sergeant" during a surprise presentation April 27, 2012, by the Grand Forks Air Force Base Chiefs' Group.

Jim Bradshaw, the base's first-ever honorary chief master sergeant, was presented the recognition by retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gaylor - who served as the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force in the 1970s - during a dinner at the Northern Lights Club.

Gaylor lauded the commitment and support the Air Force receives from local community members before announcing there was a new chief among the crowd and summoning a stunned Bradshaw to the stage.

"I've never been so surprised in my life," said Bradshaw, who formerly served as an honorary commander to the 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "I'm just so grateful and honored. It makes me feel very, very humbled."

Chief Master Sgt. David Carlson, 319th Air Base Wing, said only one percent of the enlist force can wear the rank of chief master sergeant at any given time.

"There are very few people that ever attain honorary chief master sergeant," said Carlson. "It is a significant honor, and probably even more so because he's the first ever here at Grand Forks."

Bradshaw has been a key supporter of the Airmen on Grand Forks, including the recent unveiling of the "Wall of Heroes" in the Airman Leadership School here that recognizes the heroic acts of deployed Airmen across the Air Force.

While Bradshaw is humble about his support, Carlson is quick to laud him for everything he does.

"Mr. Bradshaw cares for Airmen, he wants to see them succeed," said Carlson. "He has a support for the Airmen and military that comes from the heart."

"What the folks in the Air Force do is so absolutely incredible," said Bradshaw. "I love our Air Force and the people in it."