Wisconsin Air National Guard Inducts Three Members

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

The Wisconsin Air National Guard inducted three outstanding members, retired Col. David Romuald, retired Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, and retired Col. Christopher Charney, into its Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony Sept. 16 at the 115th Fighter Wing.

The Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame recognizes those members who served above and beyond what is normally considered outstanding or exemplary.

Inductees are recognized for continuous exceptional job performance, implementing innovative programs, enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and enhancing public support.

Being inducted confirms that their service brought great credit to the nation, the state of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Romuald joined the Air Force in 1981 and was commissioned as an officer in 1988 upon graduating from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at San Diego State University.

He flew the F-16 on active duty, and joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1997 as an evaluator pilot with the 176th Fighter Squadron. He served as operations director for the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and commanded Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center during a time of historic transformation.

Cullen joined the Air Force in 1989 as an air traffic controller. He joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1996 and served in the same role at Volk Field before being assigned as the airfield manager there.

In 2012 he became the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s first full-time state command chief, where he also served in numerous national level roles and spearheaded a variety of national initiatives.

He was specifically chosen to participate in the Air National Guard Enlisted Grades Review Process, helping to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of grades among Air Force occupations.

He also developed programs in Wisconsin to professionally develop lower enlisted troops as well as first sergeants. Charney enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1983, and became an intelligence officer in 1994. He was regularly involved in training events and operational readiness evaluations.

Between 1993 and 2005 he deployed as chief of intelligence or intelligence flight commander in support of air refueling, airlift and combat search and rescue operations during 12 combat or contingency missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2005 he was the first Wisconsin Air National Guard officer to become the joint director of intelligence and security, simultaneously serving as the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Brig. Gen. David May, Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Air, spoke about all three inductees. Prior to becoming deputy adjutant general, May was Romuald’s successor as Volk Field commander, and acknowledged the difficult task of keeping the base viable and its Airmen motivated during troop reductions.

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