Photo By Master Sgt. Scott Thompson | Brig. Gen. Ronald Wilson, Director of the Joint Staff, Michigan Air National Guard...... read more read more
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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – “Heroes come and go but legends live on forever.”
On Feb. 2, 2019, Brig. Gen. Ronald Wilson, Director of the Joint Staff, Michigan Air National Guard, wore his uniform in a military capacity for the last time, retiring with 37 years of distinguished military service during a ceremony held at the 110th Attack Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich.
“To look out here and see everyone in attendance is a bit overwhelming, and I am very humbled and grateful," said Wilson.
Wilson may be retiring from military service, but he will always be remembered as an important part of the Michigan National Guard and the 110th Attack Wing's success. He served as the 110th's Wing Commander from 2012-2015.
“The work he did as the Wing Commander here at the 110th was amazing; we were able to capitalize on what he did and move forward into the next mission because of him,” said Col. Bryan Teff, the 110th Attack Wing's present commander.
Amazingly, the military isn’t the only career Wilson has had. He has been a commercial airline pilot, a firefighter, and he also volunteers at his church and takes a hands on approach within the community of Colon, Mich., where he makes his home.
“I swear that General Wilson was the de facto Mayor of Colon, he was so heavily involved in the athletic department of the Colon School district and community," said Teff.
Wilson was commissioned as an active duty Air Force officer in 1982 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He was selected to attend Air Force pilot training to fly the A-10 Thunderbolt. After nearly ten years of active duty flight service, Wilson joined the Michigan Air National Guard in 1991, serving at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
Wilson accumulated more than 4,000 hours of flight time in a variety of aircraft, earning many military awards and decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial combat and over-watch missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
“He is one of the reasons we are so successful in the A-10 mission today, and I would like to thank you for everything you did to keep the Michigan Air National Guard ready to deploy,” said Maj. Gen. Leonard Isabelle, Assistant Adjutant General and commander of the Michigan Air National Guard.
Wilson served in many different capacities throughout his career. Since his time as commander of the 110th Attack Wing, Battle Creek, Mich., he has been the Director of the Joint Staff for the Michigan National Guard, based at the Michigan National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing.
“When we did a reboot at Joint Force Headquarters, we had the right leader at the right time and we were able to put Michigan back on the map because of him," said Col. Jeffery Terrill, Michigan Army National Guard.
As Director of the Joint Staff, Wilson oversaw the coordination and integration of Army and Air Force personnel in supporting Michigan’s role in protecting the homeland. He also assisted the Michigan Air National Guard commander in the administration of units located at Selfridge ANG Base, Battle Creek ANG Base, and the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich.
“[Brig. Gen. Wilson] had everything in place and the residents of Michigan were in good hands," Terrill said.
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2019 08:24 |
| Story ID: | 309380 |
| Location: | BATTLE CREEK, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 800 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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