Photo By Airman 1st Class Matthew Bergh | United States Army Pvt. 2nd Class Brandon Roach reads The Changing of the Watch during...... read more read more
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The Man, the Myth, the Legend. MSgt. George Roach, 111th Attack Wing public affairs superintendent, retires after over 37 incredible years of
a military career well-served. Roach was recognized and celebrated during a retirement ceremony on base Dec. 7, 2024.
During the span of his career, Roach has offered a vast amount of support in missions overseas and state side. He provided relief support during several hurricanes including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Hurricanes Gustave and Ike in 2008, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017,
and Hurricane Florence in 2018. His extensive Domestic Operations experience and command of digital media allowed the Pennsylvania National Guard to gain national attention as a leader in this type of support.
Lt. Col. Jay Ostrich, Pennsylvania Air National Guard Headquarters Public Affairs, who has known Roach since 1984, presided over the ceremony.
“When I was an Airman 1st Class, I heard story after story about the great George Roach,” said Ostrich. “I will be honest, I was literally jealous that he got so many accolades and I wanted those accolades. Then I finally got a chance to deploy with George Roach, and I realized very quickly why George got that trust from his commanders.”
George goes at things with patience, persistence, passion and pride, Ostrich continued.
This approach has been evident through the span of his military career.
From 2007 until 2014, Roach was assigned to the Pennsylvania Joint Force Headquarters at Ft. Indiantown Gap, in Annville, Pa. This assignment required him to work in a joint force environment exposing him to the entire State’s National Guard mission. One of the highlights
during this time occurred in 2018 when Roach deployed to Lithuania to support our State Partnership Program. Through this program the National Guard builds relationships with foreign countries to develop various military training opportunities to include domestic operations, and
direct foreign allegiances.
After his assignment at the PA JFHQ, Roach joined the 111ATKW in 2015, maintaining his military service and covering several state and national joint force missions.
In February 2020, while enrolled at the Senior NCO Academy in Gunter AFB, Alabama, the country experienced a pandemic. Roach was reassigned for Operation COVID Response. Task Force South was activated, and Roach deployed with them as the PAO for the Medical Strike Force. They provided mass testing across Pennsylvania and eventually mass vaccinations.
This continued into June 2020, when he was requested to continue support for Operation Protect PA, during the civil unrest in our country. Roach documented the National Guard’s response in the Philadelphia region.
After this mission, Roach’s service as a drill status guardsmen continued until January 2021, when he responded to Washington D.C. in support of Operation Capitol Resolve following the assault on the U.S. Capitol. Soon after, he also provided support during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
Aside from supporting the mission, Roach has offered immeasurable support to the public affairs Airmen who have had the honor of working alongside him.
“I came into the Air National Guard eager to do our job,” said Airman 1st Class Matthew Bergh, 111th ATKW public affairs specialist, “I was also nervous to see how I could fit my skillset into the military environment. And from the moment I met George, he immediately passed along wisdom to me and helped guide me into having the best experience I could possibly have being new to the Guard.”
Although Roach is moving on to retired status, his impact on others still serving continues. The guidance, the lessons, the mentorship lives on.
“I do not know everything George knows and I never will,” said Ostrich. “But I know everything I know because of him.”
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2024 12:13 |
| Story ID: | 486948 |
| Location: | BIDDLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 138 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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