Front Royal Resident Edward Tirado Retires from the New York Air National Guard After 39 Years of Service

New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Edward Tirado, a Front Royal, Virginia resident, marked the end of a 39-year military career with a retirement ceremony on Dec. 7 at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Edward Tirado, 106th Rescue Wing education and training manager and personnelist, receives the Air Force Certificate of Retirement from Captain Douglas Duncan, former commander of the 106th Force Support Squadron, during his retirement ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., Dec. 7, 2025. Tirado retired after 39 years of service in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Kevin Donaldson)

Tirado enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1985 as a navigational aids specialist and was first stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, where he installed and maintained navigation and weather systems. He later served in the same role at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

After leaving active duty in 1995, Tirado joined the New York Air National Guard at Roslyn Air National Guard Station in East Hills, New York, as the noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of radio communication. In 2000, he moved to the 106th Rescue Wing, where he served as an education and training manager and personnelist.

Presiding official of the ceremony, of the 106th Force Support Squadron Commander, Capt. Douglas Duncan praised Tirado for his service and leadership over the years.

“To all the Airmen, NCOs, and senior NCOs out there in the audience, there will never be another [Tirado] here at the 106th FSS, but I encourage you and challenge you all to reflect on the type of senior NCO that [Tirado] was, and in your own way, work to be that kind of senior NCO,” he said.

In his remarks, Tirado thanked his family and loved ones for their support throughout the years.

“Service is not something you do by yourself,” Tirado said. “Every hour I gave to the uniform, my loved ones gave right alongside me, quietly, but with unwavering support. I could not have done a single year of this without them.”

During the ceremony, Tirado was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service and the Air Force Certificate of Retirement.

In closing, Tirado said, “I stand here today because of all the mentors who pushed me, the peers who challenged me, and the Airmen who inspired me. Thank you all so much. It was the honor of my life to be here and to serve with you.”

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron of pararescuemen and combat rescue officers that specializes in rescue and recovery and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.