Chief Ferry is assigned as the Spear Aircraft Maintenance Unit NCOIC, 43d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 43d Maintenance Group, 43d Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, North Carolina.
Chief Ferry was born in McKee’s Half Falls, Pennsylvania, on 25 July 1960 and is a graduate of Selinsgrove High School. His professional Military Education includes the NCO Preparatory School in 1982, the NCO Academy in 1987, the Senior NCO Academy by correspondence in 1998, and the Senior NCO Academy in residence in 1993. He holds an Associates Degree in Aircraft Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Chief Ferry entered the Air Force in July 1978. Upon completion of basic training, he attended the Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Technician Course at Sheppard AFB, Texas. His first permanent duty assignment was at Plattsburgh AFB, New York from December 1978 to June 1983. He was then assigned to the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, from June 1983 to December 1984. At the completion of his overseas tour, he was reassigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph AFB, Texas. In 1987, Chief Ferry was assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina until December 1992. From there, he moved to the 380th Air Refueling Wing, Plattsburgh AFB, New York, until the Base closed in October 1994. His next assignment was to the 89th Airlift Wing, at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Chief Ferry served a short tour at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland from May 1999 until May 2000 and then reported to Moody AFB, Georgia. In December 2003, he arrived at Pope AFB for his last assignment.
Chief Ferry has held numerous maintenance positions throughout his career. He was a Detachment NCOIC and a Quality Assurance Evaluator. As a flight chief and team chief for the 380th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, he led the deployment of 12 KC-135s to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and successfully transferred 21 KC-135R aircraft to numerous AMC bases upon deactivation and base closure. Chief Ferry was a Special Air Mission Production Superintendent for the 89th Aircraft Generation Squadron, where he routinely led the launch and recovery of aircraft transporting the President, Vice President and high-ranking national and international dignitaries. As Tanker Flight Superintendent for the 85th Operations Squadron, he led Search & Rescue support in the North Atlantic Ocean. Chief Ferry was the maintenance group facilitator during the transfer of the 347th Rescue Wing from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command. He arrived at Pope AFB as the 43d Maintenance Squadron Superintendent and later as NCOIC Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 43d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He has experience on numerous aircraft including the FB-111A, F-4E and G, T-38A, KC-135A and R, C-20, C-9, and C-130E, H and P.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award.
CMSgt Ferry is married to the former Karen Williams of Valdosta, Georgia. He has two children: Whitney (22), and Wade (20).