On his visit to Aviano Air Base Italy, United States Air Force CHIEF of STAFF, General Michael E. Ryan, (left), exchanges coins with retired CHIEF MASTER Sergeant (CMSGT) Jim Flaschenriem. CMSGT (ret) Flaschenriem was one of the very first Air Force enlisted members to be promoted to the rank of CHIEF MASTER Sergeant. He held the record for nearly 40 years being the youngest promoted to CMSGT after just over 11 years time in service at the age of 31. He was invited to Aviano to be guest speaker for the base's annual SENIOR NCO Induction Ceremony, as well as to speak to new Air Force members at the First Term AIRMAN's Center