MSG commander retires after 40 years of service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Members of Team Homestead gathered at the Sam Johnson Fitness Center to witness a fellow Airman retire after serving four decades in the military Feb. 6.

Brig. Gen. Christian G. Funk, the19th Air Force vice commander, presided over the retirement ceremony for Col. Elwin A. Rozyskie, the 482nd Mission Support Group commander.

Rozyskie began his military career joining the U.S. Army in 1974 where attended U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger training and became covert operations qualified. Later, he served as an Army scout and combat engineer.

He has served in all areas of the Air Force's civil engineering career field, and was an S-Team member and a commander of both Prime BEEF and RED HORSE Squadrons.

Rozyskie earned his bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1979. In1988, he earned his Master of Business Administration at University of Texas.

During his retirement ceremony, he was awarded the Legion of Merit which is given for exceptionally admirable conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Rozyskie has commanded the 482nd Mission Support Group here since 2011. The 482nd MSG provides critical support through civil engineering, twenty-four hour airfield support, emergency response and electronic communications management.

"The proudest moment of my Air Force career was when I assumed command of the 482nd MSG," said Rozyskie.

As the MSG commander, Rozyskie was responsible for over 600 military and civilian Department of Defense personnel.

During the 2012 Air Combat Command Operational Readiness Inspection his unit was the only mission support group in 10th Air Force to pass this inspection on their first attempt.

"He was responsible for 6 squadrons and he planned and supported the Total Force Integration here," said Funk, as he listed some of Rozyskie's accomplishments throughout his career.
"The thing I will miss most about the Air Force is the camaraderie that we share as Airmen and the journey to be world-class units," said Rozyskie. "I'll also greatly miss the encouragement, mentoring, and career development interaction with the (482nd MSG) Group's officers and NCOs."

After the ceremony, supporters were gathered outside to witness Rozyskie's "Hero shot."

Since he served with an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team during his service, the 482nd EOD honored Rozyskie by giving him one last opportunity to blow something up, which is traditionally called a hero shot. In this case, it took the form of a 20-foot fireball.

Although Rozyskie's career has come to a close, he still plans to stay close to the Air Force.

"After I retire, my wife and I plan to return to our home in Texas," said Rozyskie. "It's a small town in the hill country, approximately 20 miles west of Joint Base San Antonio."