REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- It doesn't matter whether he's in uniform or not, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Donald Washabaugh has dedicated himself to serving Soldiers and the nation.
Even with 31 years of service and a retirement certificate, Brig. Gen. Bob Marion said at Washabaugh's retirement ceremony on June 18 in Bob Jones Auditorium that this chief warrant officer will continue to follow his passion for service.
"I know I will be seeing you around somewhere continuing to serve Soldiers and this nation," said Marion, who is the program executive officer for Aviation.
"You have a passion for doing the right thing for Soldiers. Professionally, CW5 Washabaugh has been on the top of his game in every aspect. He has shown professional competence, commitment and dedication. There is no way you can make it to CW5 without those qualities and instilling those qualities in other Soldiers."
Washabaugh retired as the Aviation Logistics officer in the Program Executive Office for Aviation. His career was focused on aviation logistics and maintenance duties.
"He's clearly seen it all and done it all as a logistician and maintainer, from the tactical level all the way to the strategic level at the Pentagon," Marion said. "He has not shied away from tough assignments and tough bosses."
Washabaugh is a master Army aviator with more than 5,200 flight hours and 1,000 combat hours. He is rated in the UH-1 Iroquis helicopter, AH-64A/D Apache helicopter, C-12C/D fixed wing and DHC-7 (EO5A/O5B) fixed wing aircraft.
During his career, Washabaugh served as a maintenance test pilot, fixed wing aviator, logistics officer, regimental aircraft maintenance technician, with much of his work involving Apache aircraft. He has served with units at Fort Hood, Texas, and in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Panama and Korea. He's deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and four times deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After completing training with the Apache helicopter's D model in December 2001, Washabaugh became the battalion aviation maintenance officer for the 1-227th (Attack) and deployed with the 11th Aviation regiment for the initial attack into Iraq. He deployed three additional times to Iraq before being assigned as the aviation readiness officer for the deputy chief of staff, Army Logistics at the Pentagon in 2010. In 2012, he joined the PEO-Aviation team.
"It's been an honor to serve," said an emotional Washabaugh. "My wife (Theresa) has been with me the whole time. She ensured the household was safe so I could give what was necessary and provide what was needed by this country."
During his retirement ceremony, Washabaugh was presented with a Legion of Merit. He was also inducted into the Order of St. Michael by Gary Nenninger, president of the Tennessee Valley chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America.
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