Chief to Chief

HANSCOM AFB, Mass. -- Retired Chief Master Sgt. Esther MacKay shares a laugh with Senior Master Sgt. Ginger Thompson, 66th Medical Group superintendent, Aug. 29 in the chief's home in Needham, Mass. Chief MacKay was recently appointed an Honorary Charter Chief, a title bestowed upon her by the Charter Chief's Group. The Charter Chief's Group was formed by the first group of men who were promoted to chief master sergeant in 1959. Chief MacKay is the third woman to be appointed an Honorary Charter Chief. A group of Hanscom enlisted leaders, inlcuding Sergeant Thompson, visited Chief MacKay's home to personally present her with a plaque and medallion on behalf of the Charter Chief's Group. Sergeant Thompson is Hanscom's newest Chief select and will promote to the rank of chief master sergeant later this year. Chief MacKay, served in the Armed Forces from 1943 to 1965. At 102 years old, Chief MacKay is the Air Force’s oldest chief master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Walter Santos)