Command Chief Master Sergeant Maureen Dooley has built a sterling reputation for herself during 33 years of service in the Air Force and Air National Guard. But after over three decades and a plethora of life-changing experiences, the Rome, Georgia, resident is hanging up her uniform for the very last time.
Dooley was honored at a formal retirement ceremony on Sept. 18 at the New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. At the ceremony, she was presented with the Legion of Merit, plus gifts from her appreciate colleagues for the forthcoming retirement.
Dooley gave eight years of service to the active Air Force and 25 years to the 5,600-member-strong New York Air National Guard, according to a press release by Military and Naval Affairs News. For the retiring command chief, she leaves more than just a job behind her.
Major General Dawn Deskins, deputy director of the Air National Guard (L), presents Dooley with her retirement certificate in Latham, New York, on Sept. 18, 2020 William Albrecht/New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs
“There is not a better profession than the profession of arms, and not a greater group of people I would like to face those challenges with,” she shared at the Sept. 18 ceremony, according to Defence Visual Information and Distribution Service (DVIDS). “When you are doing a job that you love so much and you are doing it with your heart and soul, it is not a job.”
Since February 2018, Dooley was the New York Air National Guard’s senior enlisted Airman, reporting directly to Air Force Major General Timothy LaBarge. She served as his advisor on numerous military issues.
Dooley receives her retirement flag from Senior Master Sgt. Tom Whiteman on Sept. 18, 2020. William Albrecht/New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs
Air Force Major General Dawn Deskins, the Guard’s deputy director, officiated at Dooley’s retirement ceremony. She warmly praised her colleague for her “energy and commitment to the mission,” adding, “If we did not have COVID, this room would be filled to the rafters with people who wanted to be here.”
Dooley, originally of Danielson, Connecticut, studied for a degree in Space Technology from the Community College of Air Force before joining the Force in 1979. She served as an aircraft maintenance specialist, working on F-4Es, F-15s, and T-33 training aircraft for eight years before leaving the active Air Force in 1987.
After a break, she joined the Air National Guard in December 1995, according to a press release.
Dooley fields questions during the 2019 NYANG First Sergeant Symposium at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on May 21, 2019 Master Sgt. Lee C. Guagenti/U.S. National Guard
Dooley became part of a subset of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, where her responsibilities included identifying and tracking aircraft flying over the United States and Canada with a focus upon national safety. Notably, Dooley played a crucial role during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.
The now-retired command chief later served in weapons direction, air surveillance, mission crew control, and non-commissioned officer positions at the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) before becoming the chief enlisted manager of the 224th Support Squadron in 2014.
Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Richard King presents a plaque to Dooley as she leaves EADS to become the Command Chief Master Sgt. of the New York Air National Guard on Feb. 2, 2018. Timothy Jones/DVIDSHUB
Dooley’s most recent decoration, the Legion of Merit, is the cherry on the cake of a series of coveted accolades. Among others, Dooley has also received the Meritorious Service Medal, says DVIDS, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
The New York Army National Guard's Command Sergeant Major CSM David Piwowarski (L), Command Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt. Amy R. Giaquinto (L–center), and New York Adjutant General MG Anthony German (R) pose with Dooley at a Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs on Feb. 26, 2018 William Albrecht/DVIDSHUB
The retiring command chief will be succeeded by Command Chief Master Sergeant Denny L. Richardson, the former senior enlisted Airman in the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, a press release states.
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Louise Chambers
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Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
