USAF colonel retiring ‘in’ Newcastle

After serving in the United States Air Force for nearly 27 years, Col. Chris Roness decided it was time to fly “full circle” by celebrating his retirement from military life in his hometown of Newcastle.  
“I really wanted to go full circle. That (Newcastle) is really where the dream began,” the helicopter pilot said. “I thought it would be cool to bring it back home.” 
Roness finished off his career while stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, for a mission in Special Operations Command Specific as the director of resources and programs. However, due to the economy in Hawaii because of COVID-related issues, Roness said that retiring in Newcastle made more sense economically. He also thought it would be an opportunity for Newcastle to witness an official military ceremony, so he is inviting the entire community to attend. 
“It’s something that people don’t really get to see or know about unless they’ve been a part of the military,” said Stan Dixon, commander
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2516, adding that it will be a good experience for the community. 
The celebration will be held on July 23 at 3 p.m. at the VFW hall. Roness said it will be conducted formally, according to standard military procedure, with retired USAF Col. Darin Driggers of Casper as the presiding official. The honor guard from Ellsworth Air Force Base will be present, and Newcastle Middle School student Josie Smith will sing the national anthem.
Driggers met Roness while they were attending ROTC at University of Wyoming, and they have been good friends ever since. Driggers said he values the positive energy Roness brings to the table with a drive to achieve the mission — whatever it may be. 
“He was always taking care of everyone, [and he] always brings energy to every job he’s doing. He has that winning personality,” Driggers said. 
Roness and those hosting the retirement party will be dressed formally. He invites veterans to come in their full military attire if they would like, but he wants everyone to be comfortable and said it will be “come as you are.” After the ceremony, Roness is hosting a reception for the community with free food and beverages. 
While economics and experience played a role, they
are not the primary reasons
for retiring in Newcastle. Roness said that his upbringing had a large impact on who he is today. 
“He always looks back at Newcastle with pride,” said Roness’ father, Larry. His mother, Sharon, agreed.
“I really appreciate the support that the community has given him in mentoring him and giving him the opportunity to do what he does,” she said, adding that Roness had many mentors in school, his church and the community who saw something in him and took the time to invest in him and develop his gifts.  
Many times, Roness has been asked how he accomplished what he has. He has responded that it was a group effort — all he did was pause to have a conversation, which “is what everyone in my town does.”
“I’m really grateful for the community of Newcastle and the people who helped raise me,” Roness said. “We have
a real special gift in Newcastle that we don’t realize we even have.”

 
He explained that Newcastle has a knack for good conversations, which he sees as a “talent.” Growing up in a rural area causes people coming “miles from nowhere” to take the time to have sit-down conversations. Through those conversations, Roness said, the community learns the needs of their neighbor and rallies around to get the job done.
“We’re always there to help each other,” Roness said. “It’s just how we are.” 
Roness began his military journey right after he graduated from Newcastle High School in 1989 by entering the AFROTC program at the UW. He always wanted to become a pilot, he said. 
“I knew I wanted to fly airplanes in the Air Force,” Roness said. 
However, a series of obstacles prevented him from doing that right away, including his 20/25 vision. Roness added that his whole career is based on people telling him he was incapable because he would always set out to prove to them and himself that he could do it. 
“The Air Force taught me above all to never give up,” he said. 
Roness enlisted into the Air Force on June 1, 1993, and became a certified aircraft command, control, communications and navigations equipment journeyman. He also served as an airplane electrician for a unit in Omaha, Neb., and earned two Master of Aerospace Science degrees in aircraft safety/accident investigation and professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 
Roness worked in Civil Search and Rescue and USAF survival school support, as well as Combat Rescue Personnel Recovery, Nuclear Security and Special Operations. He was commissioned as an officer in December 1999 and became a helicopter pilot in 2003. 
Roness has been recognized as the 55th Wing Honor Guard Airman of the Year, Team Fairchild Company Grade Officer of the Year and 2010 Outstanding United States Air Force Flight Equipment Officer of the Year. Additionally, Roness was inducted into the 2014 Newcastle Hall of Fame. 
“It makes me very proud, of course, and very pleased that people recognized what he had to offer,” Sharon said. “He went in with an attitude that he was going to make a difference in people’s lives, and I think he did that. He really took it as an opportunity to serve.”
Roness said a whole book would be needed to explain many of the life lessons the Air Force taught him, such as self-discipline, selflessness, leadership, teamwork, pride and responsibility. What stands out most to him is how the military not only taught him the words of the principles but the meaning and definitions by living them out.
“Everything I am, I owe to the Air Force,” Roness said. “They taught me how to fly an airplane — that in itself is a lot, but the level of responsibility that comes with that is incredible.” 
Roness said he loves the camaraderie of the military and has enjoyed serving in combat alongside others who live under the conviction of “these things we do that others may live.” 
“Everyone [was] working together to come together to work for a good cause to defend our constitution … and be a free nation,” Roness said. “That was great to be a part of that.” 
One of his greatest experiences includes leading a formation of combat mission warriors in a HH-60G to save wounded Marines, along with some other duties. 
However, Roness decided that he is at a point in his life where he can better serve outside of the military, so he started a business called Chris Roness Enterprises. He took a course and created a MasterMind to help Department of Defense service members and military veterans overcome their struggles and live their lives to the fullest, according to the business website. 
Roness said the USAF is looking at employing his business into their system. 
“That’s my purpose now,” Roness said. “I learned I could do more to serve at a higher level in retirement than I could as a colonel.” 
The message of his business is to “get awesome and stay awesome” by implementing the “You M.A.T.R.” acronym whenever a crisis arises. This “aviation-themed, operational approach” stands for maintain control, analyze the situation, take immediate action, refer to your plan. 
“The intent of You M.A.T.R. is a proactive approach to life skills that provides service members and veterans with the ability to build their own personal community of trusted relationships, make better versions of themselves, avoid or mitigate self-inflicted struggles, and helps them be their own hero in that darkest moment when — not if — it comes,” Roness said. 
Driggers said that Roness himself has had to face many challenges throughout his career, but he always had the mindset that it is not about “how you fall but how you get back up.” 
Everyone is in a struggle, Roness said, coming out of one or going into one, so it is important to stay positive and look for the good in everything. In his own life, Roness said, he has received support from family and friends and learned to be honest with himself — blooming where he is planted and leaving things better than he found them. 
“I admire his dedication to helping people and his ability to connect people who can help each other,” Sharon said. 
“Everything he did, his first thought process was to take care of his people. …If you take care of the people they’re going to take care of you,” Driggers added. “He’s got quite a big support structure.” 
Another reason Roness wanted to retire this year was to allow his wife Sara and their four children, ages 2 to 9, to spend more time with their grandparents. Larry and Sharon say they are both looking forward to having Roness and his family close by, and Sharon said she is glad Roness will now have the time to prioritize being a father. 
Roness and his family are moving to Spearfish, S.D., which also allows proximity to the Veterans Administration hospital, where he can pursue his passion to serve veterans. Larry added that his son is always looking ahead, so he never knows exactly what to expect. 
“He’s always kept me guessing what he is going to do next. … I’m just waiting to see what’s in the wind,” Larry said. “He’s not slowing down.”