Alaska Air National Guard Col. Scott Coniglio, former 176th Wing vice commander, marked 30 years of service during his May 8, 2019, retirement ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Scott's father, retired Col. Joseph Coniglio Sr., presided over the ceremony while his brother, retired Lt. Col. Joseph Coniglio Jr., served as the narrator.
All together, the three Coniglios have served 95 years.
“Service to our country is both an honor and a distinction,” Joseph Sr. said.
The date also marked the eldest Coniglio's 80th birthday, five years to the day after he presided over Joseph Jr.'s retirement ceremony.
Also in attendance were Scott's mother, Barbara, his wife, Kerstin, and daughters, Noelle and Morgan.
“Kerstin, this ceremony is as much about you as me,” Scott said. “You have been unbelievably patient, understanding and unselfish. Without you, I would not be on this stage today.”
According to his official biography, Scott joined the Air Force in 1989, earning a commission as a second lieutenant after graduating the Air Force Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1990, he completed Undergraduate Navigator training at Mather Air Force Base, California, for service on C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. He was then assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and deployed to several combat zones in support of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Uphold Democracy, Provide Comfort and Safe Passage.
He was assigned to then-Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1995 with the 517th Airlift Squadron before transferring to the 3rd Operations Support Squadron in 1997.
Scott transitioned to the Alaska Air National Guard in 1999, joining the 144th Airlift Squadron before moving to the 210th Rescue Squadron in 2000 as an HC-130 King navigator. He was subsequently reassigned as the deputy commander of the 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
In 2003, he was reassigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron and deployed in support of Enduring Freedom.
Scott served as the 176th Maintenance Squadron commander from 2012 to 2015, when he was assigned as the wing vice commander.
He is a master navigator with more than 6,000 flight hours, which includes 259 hours in combat. He participated in 284 rescue missions and is credited with saving 138 lives.
During his comments, Joseph Sr. said he looks forward to being able to spend more time with his son on the Kenai River.
“Scott, like the eagle, you have soared to new heights in your Air Force career,” Joseph Sr. said. “We pray that the next chapter in your life is filled with as much joy as one can experience in retirement.”