Col. Eric Hayes retires after more than 32 years of faithful service
HENSLEY FIELD ARMED FORCES RESERVE COMPLEX, GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Friends, family, and fellow service members gathered here to honor the legacy and career of Col. Eric G. Hayes, commander of the 254th Combat Communications Group, during a formal retirement ceremony, May 17, 2026.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of a distinguished military career spanning more than 32 years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Joshlin D. Lewis, Special Assistant to The Adjutant General, served as the presiding officer for the event, highlighting Hayes’ steadfast leadership and extensive impact on the state and national defense missions.
During the ceremony, Hayes was awarded the Texas Superior Service Medal for his exceptionally meritorious service and distinguished contributions to the Texas Military Forces through sustained leadership.
"Over a long-standing career, you see a lot of change, but the one constant with Col. Hayes has been his absolute reliability,” said Lewis. “From tactical deployments to critical homeland responses right here in Texas, his leadership at the 254th has set the standard for what it means to be a combat communications commander. He leaves a legacy that will influence our mission readiness for years to come."
Hayes, a native of Waco, Texas, originally entered the Air Force through Basic Military Training in 1989. After completing his active-duty service, which included assignments in Georgia, Mississippi, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, he returned home to enlist in the Texas Air National Guard in 1996. He later earned his commission through the Academy of Military Science.
As a traditional guardsman, Hayes balanced a highly successful civilian sector career alongside his military commitments. He served as an intelligence analyst for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Dallas Field Division and spent eight consecutive years as a top sales contributor in corporate engineering and sales executive roles. Additionally, he served his state as a member of the Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force, acting as the Assistant Regional Officer in Charge for Region North.
Throughout his decades of service, Hayes became a veteran of multiple major campaigns, deploying in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Freedom’s Sentinel. Prior to taking command of the 254th Combat Communications Group, Hayes served as the group's deputy commander, directing activities to ensure seamless integration of expeditionary communication and information support for Joint Force operations.
“Every milestone, every rank, and every success belongs to my family just as much as it does to me,” said Hayes. “Their unwavering support, sacrifice, and love are the real reasons I was able to serve this state and nation for as long as I did." His departure marks the end of an era for the 254th Combat Communications Group, leaving behind a legacy of enhanced operational readiness and deep devotion to the Airmen under his charge.
The faithful service, dedicated performance of duty, and accomplishments of Hayes reflect great credit upon himself, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas Military Department.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2026 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 565918 |
| Location: | FORT WORTH, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Col. Eric Hayes retires after more than 32 years of faithful service, by TSgt Tia Hambrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
