Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey (December 13, 1923 - March 11, 2009) was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Richard Campbell and Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. McConnell.

He was the first Chief Master Sergeant appointed to this ultimate noncommissioned officer position and was selected from among 21 major command (MAJCOM) nominees to become the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He was formally installed by Gen McConnell on 3 April 1967.

His military schooling has included courses in communication, mechanics, and personnel management. He is a graduate of the Air Defense Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Before he became Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, he was assigned to the Air Defense Command's 4756th Civil Engineering Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., where he was the unit's first sergeant.

He retired on August 1, 1970. Chief Airey died in Panama City, Fla. on March 11, 2009. The funeral service was held on 28 May 2009 at the Fort Myer chapel followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. The SECAF authorized flying the national flag at half-staff at all Air Force facility locations in his honor on the day of his interment.

His medals include the US Air Force Enlisted Aircrew Badge, Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Prisoner of War Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, and the Korean Service Medal.