FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- With a combined 264 years of service, eight Soldiers and two civilians retired during the Fort Rucker Quarterly Retirement Ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Jan. 19.
Col. Steven L. Nicolucci, chief of staff, deputy commanding general, Army National Guard, hosted the ceremony as Sgt. Maj. Jorge Rodriguez, senior enlisted adviser, deputy CG, Army National Guard, assisted.
Short write-ups on each retiree follow.
CW4 ERIC JOHNSTON
Johnston, maintenance evaluator, F Company, 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment, entered military service in 1993 as a navigation and flight control systems repairer. In 1997, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being an instructor in support of the UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance test pilot course at Fort Rucker. He and his wife, Amy, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 JOHNNY GARCIA
Garcia, chief of standardization for the 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1992 as an aeromedical specialist in the Air force. In 1999, he was selected for Army warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being the 1-212th Avn. Regt. battalion chief of standards and its senior warrant officer. He and his wife, Keeley, have three children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 GREGORY ALFORD
Alford, track chief of the UH-60L maintenance test pilot course, F Co., 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1996 as a OH-58 Kiowa Warrior mechanic. In 2000, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being the UH-60 A/L maintenance test pilot course track chief and a maintenance instructor at Fort Rucker. He and his wife, Joni, have four children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 JOEL TORRES
Torres, executive officer, B Co., 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military in 1990 as a heavy equipment truck driver in the California Army National Guard. He transferred to active duty in 1998 and in 2000 he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was serving as a MedEvac pilot during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, rescuing countless civilians from rooftops and flooded waters. He and his wife, Amy, have one child. They plan to reside wherever the adventure takes them.
CW3 JASON NORMAN
Norman, section leader for C Co., 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1993 as a vehicle mechanic. In 2006, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being an aeromedical evacuation pilot in support of the Joint Readiness Training Center. He and his wife, Fawn, have two children. They plan to reside in Oklahoma.
MASTER SGT. JAMES H. BROWN JR.
Brown, senior transportation supervisor for the 1184th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion in Mobile, entered military service in 1990 as a petroleum supply specialist and later re-enlisted as a motor transport operator. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Jane, and having two wonderful children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
SGT 1ST CLASS THOMAS ELMS
Elms, unmanned aircraft systems subject matter expert and validation verification NCO in charge for the Training and Doctrine Command Capabilities Manager Reconnaissance and Attack Directorate, entered military service in 1994 as a military intelligence sensor operator and later re-enlisted as a UAS operator. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Deborah, and becoming a father of three children and a grandfather to eight grandchildren. They plan to reside in Clarksville, Tennessee.
SGT 1ST CLASS MARGARET ANTONIO
Antonio, brigade sexual assault response coordinator for the 1st Aviation Brigade, entered military service in 1998 as an Aviation operations specialist. She said the highlight of her career was meeting her amazing husband, retired Sgt. 1st Class Edward Antonio, and having their beautiful daughter, Raegan. They plan to reside in Navarre, Florida.
JEFFERY N. CONGER
Conger, a CH-47F Chinook standardization pilot in A Co., 1-223rd Avn. Regt., is retiring after 44 years of distinguished service and dedication to the nation and its Soldiers. In 1979, he attended the warrant officer candidate program and graduated as the distinguished honor graduate. He said the highlight of his career was working with students for the duration of their careers, and getting to be a part of their personal and professional development. He plans to reside in Enterprise.
PEGGY L. CONTRERAS
Contreras, Directorate of Public Safety supervisor of the Community Police Section, is retiring after more than 40 years of distinguished service and dedication to the nation and its Soldiers. She said the highlight of her career was receiving the Order of Saint Michael and working with many wonderful people throughout the years. She has three children and two grandchildren. She plans to reside in Enterprise.
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