Photo By Staff Sgt. Ross Whitley | U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Brian C. Carr addresses the audience during a...... read more read more
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After more than 30-years of military service, the commander of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 270th Engineering Installation Squadron retired during a ceremony held here Sept. 18, 2021.
Lt. Col. Brian C. Carr relinquished command of the 270th EIS, a subordinate unit of the 111th Mission Support Group and the 111th Attack Wing, to Lt. Col. Carolyn R. Bartley, prior to receiving his goodbye salutes and handshakes from his comrades-in-arms after his retirement and change-of-command ceremony at the base where he has served for the last 14 years.
“This is always a bittersweet moment, honoring a commander for his five years of command, culminating not only his time in command, but also his 30-year career,” said Col. Christine Munch, 111th MSG Commander, who presided over Carr’s retirement ceremony. “It’s been a privilege to serve with you knowing I could always rely on you and the great team we have at the 270th EIS.”
Carr served in the Air Force on active duty from January 1992 through October 2005. Initially an enlisted member, Carr achieved the rank of staff sergeant. In June of 1995, Carr was commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing officer training school with the USAF Air University.
After a period in the Individual Ready Reserve from November 2005 to December 2008, Carr joined the PAANG, taking a position with the 270th EIS, where he finished his career as the unit’s commander.
Carr deployed overseas multiple times to support operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
From Oct. 1996 through Dec. 1996, Carr deployed in support of Operations Joint Endeavor, which was part of the Implementation Force (IFOR) for the Dayton Peace Accords in Boznia-Herzegovina. There he participated in the roll out of the USAF’s first panoramic photo/imagery capability for video feeds and using live MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle feeds based in Hungary, was able to generate intelligence validating adherence to the Dayton Peace Accords.
From November 2002 through April 2003, Carr deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation Northern Watch (ONW). In March 2003, ONW ended when Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) began. Carr played a key role in the conversion of the communications infrastructure from ONW to OIF, which required exponentially more systems at a higher security level to support the war in Iraq.
Carr deployed two more times in his career to the Middle East in support of U.S. Air Forces Central Command. From November 2004 to July 2005, he was based in Doha, Qatar, and from March 2014 to November 2014, he was based in multiple locations including Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and United Arab Emirates.
“Even with all my deployments throughout my career, one of my most vivid memories is driving through herds of deer on the road to the U.S. Air Force Academy Hospital in Colorado Springs just before dawn with my wife in full labor with our second son,” Carr said.
Regardless of all the challenges that a military career with multiple deployments throws your way, Carr has no regrets.
“Even with all the moves, changes in jobs, the deployments, from my perspective, I loved it,” Carr said. “I had a great time wherever I went. But on the family side, that's harder. So, I send a special thanks to my family, and especially my wife of 32-plus years, Tamara. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
When asked if he had any advice for Airmen starting out in the Air Force today, Carr said “Enjoy what you do and do the best at what you are appointed to right now. Our environment is ever changing and this will be the best position for you to seize opportunities, as they quite often appear unexpectedly. So, seize the day!”
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2022 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 429703 |
| Location: | HORSHAM, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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