Senior Master Sgt. Lazarus retires after 23 years of AF service

: Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Lazarus (right) accepts his Certificate of Retirement from retired Col. Rick Petito, the ceremony presiding official, at the Arnold Lakeside Center, July 31. Lazarus retired from the Air Force after serving 23 years. Seven of those years were served at AEDC as the superintendent of the Complex and the Test Systems Sustainment Division. (Photo by Rick Goodfriend)

Senior Master Sgt. Lazarus retires after 23 years of AF service

Published Oct. 14, 2015
By Raquel March
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- Colleagues and family celebrated with Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Lazarus during his retirement ceremony at AEDC after 23 years of service with the U.S. Air Force.

Lazarus was assigned to Arnold Air Force Base in March 2008, where he served as the superintendent of the Complex and the Test Systems Sustainment Division. At Arnold, he oversaw more than 600 contractor personnel who are responsible for maintaining an $11 billion test support infrastructure.

He also advised base command on enlisted concerns and the morale and welfare of 1,500 DOD civilians and contractor workforce.

At the retirement ceremony, Lazarus was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service.

The award cited that Lazarus, "distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service" to the United States and AEDC as superintendent.

Lazarus also received a certificate of retirement and appreciation signed by the Air Force Chief of Staff Mark A. Walsh III and the AEDC commander Col. Rodney Todaro. An additional certificate of appreciation was also presented which was signed by the Commander in Chief Barack Obama.