With the raising of his right hand and the heart-felt recitation of a few simple words, with a mind determined to succeed in every endeavor and a devoted patriotic heart, on 13 Oct 1979 Raymond Dawson proudly took his oath of enlistment; on 10 January 2018 he retired from service in the Virginia Air National Guard as Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) following a distinguished 38-year career of service to God and country. During his military career Ray lived by the famous quote of General Robert E. Lee: “Do your duty in all things, you cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.”
Born into a patriotic family whose service records include the Navy and Army, Ray Dawson is the son of a Marine and was reared near Byrd Field at Richmond International Airport. As a young man he became enamored with the F-105 ‘Thuds’ of the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group taking wing overhead – so enamored in fact that following Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas he was an honor graduate from technical school at Sheppard AFB, Texas before returning to the 192nd TFG to maintain those same Thunderchief aircraft for a brief period prior to making the transition to the A-7 Corsair and later the F-16C Falcon. He fondly recalls the Falcon as his favorite aircraft, “a pleasure to maintain.” After serving approximately two-thirds of his career at Richmond, Ray was assigned to Langley AFB as part of a Total Force Integration between the 1st Fighter Wing and the 192nd to maintain F-22 Raptors.
In the course of his storied service Ray was deployed numerous times: twice each to Norway and Germany; to Denmark, Canada, and three times to Panama. He also served in Operation Decisive Endeavor from Aviano Airbase in Italy, Operation Provide Comfort from Incirlik Airbase in Turkey and for eleven months following the terrorist attacks of 9-11 participated in Operation Noble Eagle as the 192d FW maintained ‘round-the-clock flight Combat Air Patrols over New York and Washington, DC. Ray also served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while deployed to Al Udied Air Base, Qatar. During numerous stateside training deployments throughout his career Ray’s tireless efforts were essential in keeping the fighter wing’s pilots well-honed for any future combat missions.
As Maintenance Group Chief for the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Ray deployed for six months to Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as a key member of the team that maintained 20 aircraft airborne 24 hours daily for 194 consecutive days amid 9 unit swap-outs with seven different Mission Design series aircraft. In the face of 15 indirect-fire attacks Ray worked to ensure the expeditious resumption of airfield operations and uninterrupted missions in close air support of Coalition Forces. During his time ‘in the seat’ with the 455th the Airmen flew 17,954 combat sorties for a total of 58,570 flight hours while employing 575 precision-guided munitions and over 161,000 rounds of ammunition. During operations in Afghanistan the Airmen operating Sikorsky HH-60 helicopters saved no fewer than 35 lives and performed no fewer than 185 battlefield medical evacuations. For his steadfast and meritorious service during that operation Ray was awarded the Bronze Star.
Ray became only the second Maintenance Group (MXG) Chief in the history of the 192nd Fighter Wing and considers his years assigned to Langley Air Force Base with the 192nd as the most challenging yet fulfilling span of his career, and is justifiably proud of his role in rebuilding the maintenance group after its transition to Langley where he was able to enhance maintenance capabilities for the F-22 Raptor. Through implementation of a strategic force management plan, the MXG allowed promotional opportunities for Drill Status Guardsmen (DSG’s) that were non-existent in Richmond, thus facilitating the promotion of five DSG’s to CMSgt and the first female Chief in MXG. He describes the group of young maintainers in the Virginia Air National Guard as “the smartest I ever worked with, and the past retirees of the VANG rest assured the 192nd FW’s future is bright.”
During the presentation of his retirement speech Ray proclaimed, “I would not be anything without Jesus Christ in my life,” an inner relationship with God that is reflected outwardly as his spirit of service remains undiminished. Retirement won’t see Ray slowing down, as he intends to devote even more time in service as a deacon in his local church and as a volunteer with veterans’ assistance and advocacy organizations. An ardent history buff, Ray loves to travel with his wife Connie and particularly wishes to explore the Holy Land. He also looks forward to spending even more of his free time with his family and grandchildren.
Ray Dawson’s dedication to the United States of America is unwavering, his dedication to God is unfaltering. For his staunch service and his selfless sacrifices Ray’s family and his nation are appreciative beyond words.
