Farewell to Chaplain Hagan

Chaplain (Col.) William Willis, AFRC Command Chaplain, presents the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal to Chaplain (Col.) Raymond L. Hagan, 4th Air Force Senior Staff Chaplain, during Hagan's retirement ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., July 9, 2011. Hagan retired after more than 24 years of service as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Adams)

Farewell to Chaplain Hagan

Chaplain (Col.) Raymond L. Hagan, 4th Air Force Senior Staff Chaplain, addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., July 9, 2011. Hagan retired after more than 24 years of service as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sean Adams)

Chaplain Hagan Retires

Published July 14, 2011
By 4th Air Force Public Affairs

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- Chaplain (Col.) Raymond L. Hagan, 4th Air Force Senior Staff Chaplain, was honored at a retirement ceremony here Saturday, July 9.

Hagan retired after serving for more than 24 years in the active duty Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

Hagan entered the Air Force in 1987, receiving a direct commission as a chaplain. During his career, he has flown with air crews on the KC-135, C-141, C-17, C-130 and F-4. He also spent 10 days on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, where he experienced seven catapult shots and landings in a Navy EA-6B.

Hagan deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Operation Horn of Africa in 2005. In 2010, he became the first colonel Air Force Reserve chaplain to deploy into the AOR when he deployed as the wing and base chaplain to Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

In his civilian role, Hagan has served for more than 30 years as a pastor.