On Sunday, I lost a good friend TSgt Jesse Dailey, USAF, Retired. His death strikes me very hard as he always seemed so tough and full of life. I didn’t think anything could or would take Jesse down. He stood beside me through some of the most difficult real world and training situations, I have ever faced. With Jesse by your side, you knew it would turn out all right and we would go home at the end of our shift.
He proudly served in the Security Forces career field for 20 years. He provided superior Law Enforcement, Security and Air Base Defense expertise his entire career. When I met Jesse I knew almost immediately that he was a very unique and capable airman. What I didn’t know then was that it would lead to a professional association and friendship that lasted over 19 years. His friendship transcended the normal boundaries of NCO and Airman and SNCO and NCO. I was fortunate to be able to watch and help guide his development from Airman to NCO. We served together at three different assignments and we shared the same Date of Rank at one time (E-6 and E-5). He had awesome tactical skills, a can-do attitude, and a great sense of humor. He was the most loyal of NCO's. If you were headed into a hot LZ or hostile situation, Jesse was the one guy you wanted with you. If you were to name a hotspot in recent times, Jesse served there, from Kosovo, Bosnia, to Iraq. I could always count on Jesse to complete the mission and bring his troops home safely. He was my brother and my friend. My heart aches with loss but rejoices that I was able to share life with such a good friend.
Vaya con Dios, Mi Amigo, we will ride together again someday.