Cmdr. Russell retires after 22 years of service

The retirement ceremony for Cmdr. Doug Russell that was held at NAS Fallon in Hangar Seven was a familiar site for the Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot who decided to retire after 22 years of service.

"I'm definitely going to miss the Navy," said Russell. "I'm not saying goodbye to the Navy completely. I'll still be involved in the community, but it's also an opportunity for me to move on and try some new things."

Russell said that the timing was right to retire at this point of his career.

"The Navy doesn't have the flying billets available to old guys like me. There are still plenty of flying opportunities out there in the civilian world. That's basically why I joined the Navy was to be a pilot so I'm going to keep flying while I can. Plus, I have three kids under the age of five and I don't want to miss the growing-up stuff."

For four years Russell was not only in charge of the SAR unit aboard NAS Fallon but served as the executive officer for the base as well.

"Fallon is the best tour I've had," he said. "Without a doubt it's been the best four years I've had of my career. The people here are fantastic. The job here is challenging and an important one, and of course flying search and rescue has been extremely rewarding as well."

Russell said his family also loves the Fallon area. "When we first got orders here we weren't sure if we were going to like it or not. My wife was obviously a little concerned about moving to the desert, but in four years we have become part of the community and the community has accepted us. We've had the opportunity to just really love it here and we don't want to leave it."

The military has been the centerpiece of his family, according to Russell. "I grew up in the Navy. My dad was in for 28 years. He and I served on active duty together and I did another 22 of my own. My wife came from a Navy family as well, so it's been a real challenge for us to be able to step away from that a little bit and move into a civilian environment. One thing we do know is that the Navy will always be a part of our family and we'll always be able to rely on the Navy as a retiree as well."

Russell has been accepted by Washoe County Sheriff's Department and will be going to the Police Academy in October. Once he completes that he will be flying with the Raven Unit out of Stead Airport for the Washoe County Sheriff's Department.

"I'd like to pass on to all the folks on the installation my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all their support the last four years I've been here," he told those attending the ceremony.

" It's been the best experience I've ever had and I owe it all too the sailors, the civilian contractors, DOD civilians, officers and chiefs who worked here on the base and supported me and have helped us do the things we're supposed to do. I can't thank everybody enough. It's been awesome."

A reception followed at the Silver State Club and he went out with a splash.

"The fresh scar over my left eye is a gift from Capt. Scott Ryder, the former commanding officer. He did a flying tackle into the pool. Unfortunately, he picked the shallow end instead of the deep end."

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