Photo By Staff Sgt. Erica Webster | U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of...... read more read more
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, was inducted into the AFRCOrder of the Sword here May 14, 2026.
The Order of the Sword is the highest honor and tribute noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual. Healy becomes the 18th person to receive the Air Force Reserve honor.
Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nuñez led the ceremony as Chief Master Sergeant of the Mess. Nuñez is the senior enlisted advisor, Air Force Reserve and command chief, Air Force Reserve Command.
“I think for me it was only fitting to ensure that we recognize you, that we surprise you, that your enlisted corps had the opportunity to say thank you for your 30- plus years of dedicated service, not only to the mission, not only to the command, but what I feel is the backbone of the United States Air Force, which is our enlisted corps,” said Nuñez. “So, on behalf of our 50-plus thousand enlisted men and women in Air Force Reserve Command, thank you for your service. Thank you for being an amazing leader. Thank you for being an amazing wingman. Thank you for being an amazing friend. And welcome to the Order of the Sword.” During the chief’s address, he mentioned numerous Healy accomplishments for the enlisted corps. Those items included first ever enlisted force development strategy, expanding Inactive Duty for Training (IDT) reimbursement for all E7s and below, quality of life issues that our airmen and our families deserve like TRICARE Reserve select for air reserve technicians and TRICARE Dental.
The ceremony included a presentation of the Order of the Sword proclamation and the bestowal of a personal sword. The personal sword presented to Healy is a symbol of truth, justice and power rightfully used. It is patterned after the legendary sword Excalibur and is mounted in a custom-made wooden case and displayed on a field of red, the traditional color of the NCO corps.
During the ceremony, Healy expressed his gratitude to the Airmen for inducting him into the order.
“I’m honored,” said Healy to the crowd of enlisted Airmen. “As you know the enlisted force development was the core of the second task order. Each of you are the representatives of command and the backbone of what we do. The lion’s share of what the Air Force Reserve Command accomplished is through the enlisted force structure.”
Healy added the command has done tremendous things by understanding where our weaknesses are but more importantly where are strengths are. “You hear it in the tagline of Reserve Advantage where our experience, we’re efficient and totally accessible and lethal. Nowhere in our history has that been proven in the last months on how accessible and lethal the command is in anything we do.”
The AFRC Order of the Sword is patterned after the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword, an order of chivalry founded during the Middle Ages in Europe. During the ceremony, noncommissioned officers honor their leaders and pledge loyalty by presenting them with a ceremonial sword. The sword symbolizes truth, justice and righteous power, and it serves as a visual token, proclaiming the individual is a “leader among leaders.” The ceremony became known as the Royal Order of the Sword. The ceremony was revised, updated, and adopted by Air Force NCOs in 1967.
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2026 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 565306 |
| Location: | GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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