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Wolfenbarger notified of Order of the Sword induction

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  In an emotional ceremony Sep. 3, Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, learned she has been selected for induction into the AFMC Order of the Sword.

The surprise notification was made in front of hundreds of Airmen from Wright-Patterson as well as senior leaders from across the command -- gathered at the base for a senior leader conference -- at the close of the day's conference sessions.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, AFMC's command chief and senior enlisted leader, announced the induction and explained the significance of the honor.

"This award was established by our enlisted force to recognize and honor senior officers for distinct and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the enlisted force, to mission effectiveness, and to the overall military establishment," he said.

Wolfenbarger's nomination was reviewed by the AFMC Order of the Sword executive committee, who represent the command's 12,666 enlisted Airmen. The committee, comprised of the AFMC command chiefs, voted unanimously in favor of the general's induction.

"You lead with passion; you care about every one of your Airmen; you have made their quality of life, their training and development, and their resources in a tough environment a priority," Warner told her. "We are excited to induct you into our Order of the Sword because you are a leader among leaders and an Airman among Airmen!"

The general was noticeably surprised and humbled by the notification.

"This has got to be the highest honor I could ever have bestowed on me, of anything that I could think of in my entire three-plus decades in the United States Air Force. It doesn't get any better than this," she said. "Thank you all very, very much."

Wolfenbarger's formal induction ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2015.