Retirement Checklist

1. Introduction
2. Arrival of Official Party
3. National Anthem
4. Invocation
5. Remarks by Capt Brian Smith
6. Medal Presentation
7. Reading of Retirement Orders
8. Presentation of Retirement Lapel Pin
9. Certificates of Appreciation
10. U.S. Flag Presentation
11. Special Gift Presentation
12. Shadow Box Presentation
13. Remarks by MSgt Thorson (Retired)
14. Air Force Song
15. Departure of Official Party
16. Closing Remarks / Reception
Career Overview
Master Sergeant Erin L. Thorson is an HH-60G Pavehawk Special Mission
Aviator (formerly Aerial Gunner) currently serving as Superintendent, 23d
Wing Scheduling and Current Operations section, Air Combat Command,
Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
MSgt Thorson was born on 8 October 1967 in Springfield, Illinois and
graduated from Williamsville High School in May 1985. He entered active
duty with the Air Force on 1 May 1992 following graduation from Spartan
School of Aeronautics located in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a degree in Aviation
Maintenance Technology. MSgt Thorsons career background includes
Aircraft Armament Systems career field as an F-15 Weapons Loader,
selection for special duty assignment as initial cadre HH-60G Pavehawk
Aerial Gunner, formal school-house aircrew training instructor, Det 1 33
RQS Operations Superintendent, 33 RQS Resource Advisor, Additional
Duty First Sergeant, NCOIC 347 RQG Standardizations/Evaluations, and
Superintendent 23d Wing Scheduling and Current Operations.
As Superintendent, MSgt Thorson is directly responsible for maintaining
wing long-range deployment events, combining, managing, and
coordinating wing planning schedule taskings from Air Combat Command
and other outside agencies. Additionally, he is responsible for ensuring
integration of four geographically separated units consisting of HC-130 P/J ,
HH-60G Pavehawk, A-10, and Pararescue assets for deployments,
aerial events and wing exercise requirements. MSgt Thorson has
deployed in support of Operations DECISIVE ENDEAVOR Bosnia-
Herzegovina, SOUTHERN WATCH Kuwait, NORTHERN WATCH Turkey,
ENDURING FREEDOM Afghanistan, and Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR
Libya. MSgt Thorson has attended four levels of PME and holds three
Associate Degrees in Applied Science Aircraft Armament Systems
Technology, Aviation Operations, and Instructor of Technology as well as
a Bachelors of Science Degree in Workforce Education and Development
from Southern Illinois University. He has been awarded the Chief Enlisted
Aircrew Wings and has flown over 2,100 helicopter hours. MSgt Thorson is
married to the former Van Thi Duong of Newport News, Virginia. They
have two boys, Brandon and Justin, as well as one daughter, Tiffany.
Bases of Assignment
1. May - Jun 1992, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. Jun - Sep 1992, Student, Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist, Lowry AFB, CO
3. Sep 1992 - Sep 1995, F-15 Weapons Load Crewmember (462), 71st Fighter
Squadron, Langley AFB, VA
4. Sep 1995 Oct 1998, HH-60G/MH-53 Pavelow/HC-130 Armament Systems,
58th Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM
5. Oct 1998 Mar 2002, HH-60G Pavehawk Aerial Gunner/Scheduling NCOIC,
41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
6. Mar 2002 Mar 2005, HH-60G Pavehawk Instructor Aerial Gunner/NCOIC
Resource Advisor, 512th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM
7. Mar 2005 Mar 2006, Operations Superintendent/HH-60G Instructor Aerial
Gunner, Detachment 1, 33d Rescue Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
8. Mar 2006 Jul 2009, Flight Chief/Resource Advisor/HH-60G Evaluator Aerial
Gunner, 33d Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
9. Jul 2009 Oct 2014, Superintendent 23d Wing Scheduling & Current Operations,
NCOIC HH-60G Standardization & Evaluations 347th Rescue Group, NCOIC
Commanders Support Staff 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
Awards and Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Device
Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Devices
Aerial Achievement Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Device
Air Force Commendation Medal w/4 Devices
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award w/2 Devices
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor & 7 Devices
Combat Readiness Medal w/3 Devices
Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/6 Devices
National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/1 Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Long Tour)
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service w/4 Devices
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon w/1 Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal w/1 Bronze Star
Retirement Ceremony
In Honor Of
Master Sergeant
Erin L. Thorson
20 June 2014 @ 1341L
41st Rescue Squadron
Auditorium / Bldg 663
Moody Air Force Base, Georgia