CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, March 20, 2007 —Forty-three years ago the United States was embroiled in the civil rights movement, the conflict in Vietnam was ramping up, the Beatles were taking the world by storm and a young Roger West joined the U.S. Army.

After 43 years and three months of service to his country in the Ohio National Guard, Chief Warrant West is closing the final chapter on his military career.

“I have had a greet career in the Army National Guard Aviation and I wouldn’t change the opportunities that I have been fortunate to be a part of within my career,” said West.

The fixed-wing aviator recently completed his final military flight as a C-26 pilot for the CJTF-HOA staff and is preparing to redeploy home.

“When we taxied in the other day, which was my last flight with the military, I was excited and sad all at the same time,” said West. “Although it was my last flight, it was here on a deployment doing what we do, flying support missions for the primary Combined Joint Task Force, Horn Of Africa(CJTF-HOA) staff.”

West said that to be a National Guard soldier deployed with his entire section, doing what they do, was a great way to finish out his military career.

“This is the first time that my section has been able to be deployed together and do what we are all trained to do. I grew up and trained with a lot of these men in my section, and I am thankful to have had an opportunity to finish out my career with them,” he said.

Upon finishing his last flight at Camp Lemonier, West was honored with a letter of appreciation for his service from U.S. Navy Rear Adm. James Hart, CJTF-HOA commander, and U.S. Navy Capt. William Sizemore, CJTF-HOA chief of staff, both who are military aviators.

West humbly applauded the men and women from CJTF-HOA, regardless of rank or years of service, for their work and commitment: to CJTF-HOA’s success.