Dixon retires after 42 years at Davison

By Andrew SharbelDecember 17, 2009

Dixon retires after 42 years at Davison
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- The 12th Aviation Battalion will begin their day-to-day operations next year without a familiar face organizing their flight records.

Dorothy Dixon is retiring from her position as a flight records specialist with the battalion, effective Jan. 1.

Dixon has been a government civilian working at Davison Army Airfield since 1967.

Before arriving at Belvoir, Dixon moved to Washington, D.C., in 1942 and worked for the War Department, until it was changed to the Department of the Army in 1947.

She then worked for two years at the Central Intelligence Group, which later became the Central Intelligence Agency.

After her stint at the CIA, Dixon stopped working to raise her family, until she decided to come back to work at Belvoir.

"When I first started working at Belvoir, I remember looking at my first flight record and asking myself what I had got myself into," Dixon said. "But, in the long run, I stuck with it and I have learned so much. Now, I have maintained close to 600 flight records and really enjoyed my time here."

At her retirement ceremony Friday, Dixon received the Order of St. Michael award for her service to the aviation battalion.

The award was established in 1990 as a joint venture between the Army Aviation Association of America and the U.S. Army Aviation Center and recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army aviation in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers.

"When I learned I got the St. Michael award, I was in total shock," Dixon said. "When I saw it on the agenda at the retirement ceremony I couldn't believe it."

After she retires, Dixon hopes to catch up on things at home and maybe do some volunteer work.

"After getting stuff around the house done, I'd like to maybe volunteer once or twice a week somewhere, but, we will see," Dixon said.

Dixon acknowledged she will miss the relationships she has made with the aviators in the battalion.

"I have met an awful lot of people and I will miss all of them," Dixon said. "All of those Soldiers have been very accommodating and I appreciate that.

"They have always ribbed me a little bit, but I made sure to rib them back and it has always been like that and I will miss it," Dixon said.