Photo By Tiffany Scofield | Lt. Col. Joseph Branch, 178th Wing chaplain, addresses Airmen during his final chapel...... read more read more
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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- After more than a decade serving as the wing chaplain for the 178th Wing, Lt. Col. Branch is preparing to depart for a new assignment at U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), closing a chapter marked by service, connection and purpose.
Lt. Col. Branch commissioned in June 2009 and has spent the past 16 and a half years in uniform, including 10 years as the 178th Wing chaplain. He assumed the role early in his career, becoming wing chaplain just five years after commissioning.
“I was afraid. I didn’t know what I was doing,” Branch said. “I was scared to death. But I kept listening and learning, learning in the fire, if you will.”
Over the years, Branch said mentorship, relationship-building and experience shaped his approach to caring for Airmen. While he acknowledged making mistakes along the way, he emphasized growth and learning as central to his journey.
During his time at the wing, Branch witnessed milestones both joyful and difficult.
“I’ve watched babies be born. I’ve watched promotion ceremonies and farewells,” he said. “And unfortunately, I’ve watched those we’ve lost beyond this life. That was the hardest part, because those were friends. Those were family.”
Despite the challenges, Branch described his time at the 178th Wing as deeply meaningful.
“It’s been the best job I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’ve loved every moment of it.”
When asked to describe his time at the wing in one word, Branch chose “amazing,” adding that his assignment felt purposeful rather than coincidental.
“I don’t think it was luck,” he said. “It was purpose. It was designed for me to be here.”
Branch’s next assignment places him at USSOUTHCOM as part of the National Guard Assistance Partnership (NGAP), where he will serve as an Air National Guard chaplain working alongside the command chaplain. The position is an O-6 billet focused on advising leadership and strengthening the integration of National Guard Airmen within combatant command structures.
Part of that work, Branch said, involves reinforcing the importance of spiritual readiness across the force.
“I believe faith is a force multiplier,” he said. “We do a great job on physical and social readiness, and psychological readiness is improving, but we struggle with the spiritual component.”
Branch emphasized that spiritual fitness, broadly defined, plays a critical role in resilience.
“When everything else fails—when equipment doesn’t work, when plans fall apart—it’s faith that keeps us grounded,” he said. “Every warrior needs to strengthen that component, because in the end, that might be all we have.”
As he prepares to depart, Branch shared a final message with the wing.
“Do not shortchange yourself,” he said. “Find purpose in what you’re doing. What we do is noble, but understanding what drives you internally is just as important.”
Branch said the 178th Wing will always hold a special place for him, noting that the wing provided opportunities he never imagined when he joined the Air National Guard at age 42.
“This is all I know,” he said. “I’m going to miss the wing.”
Throughout his career, Branch said he made it a point to remind commanders of his role as a trusted advisor.
“I always told them, ‘I am your chaplain. Use me,’” he said. “Not to tell them what to do, but to help them make decisions with their Airmen in mind.”
As he transitions to USSOUTHCOM, Branch leaves behind a legacy of service centered on care, counsel and connection—values he says will continue to guide him in his next role.
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2026 14:35 |
| Story ID: | 557708 |
| Location: | SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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