Harrisburg, Pa (July 2, 2024) – An airman from Upper Oxford is one step closer to becoming a Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard following the State Senate’s approval of his nomination.
Recently, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved the confirmation of Colonel Jaime E. Ramirez, who currently serves as the 193rd Special Operation Maintenance Group Commander in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
State Senator Carolyn Comitta had the opportunity to meet Col. Ramirez and his family, prior to introducing him before the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee.
“Col. Ramirez has served in the military for more than three decades. I was proud to support his nomination and see it progress,” Comitta said. “It was a pleasure to get to know him and his family and I thank them for all of the sacrifices they and so many other military families make to defend our nation and our freedoms.”
“I’ve had the honor of serving alongside remarkable individuals throughout my career, including recent command of the Maintenance Group at the 193rd Special Operations Wing. Their contributions have been invaluable to my growth as a leader. I can’t thank them enough for helping grow this Colonel,” Ramirez said. “Military service presents significant challenges, made easier with unwavering family support, which I’ve been fortunate to have throughout my career. I encourage individuals of all backgrounds and ages who are seeking challenges to explore the opportunities that military service offers. Our nation relies on your dedication and service.”
In a letter recommending Col. Ramirez’s nomination to Governor Josh Shapiro, Major General Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, noted that Ramirez was selected from a field of 24 eligible candidates, as the best-qualified officer due to his vast experience in command and leadership
“Colonel Ramirez is a proven leader and an exceptional officer who possesses unlimited potential to serve and excel in positions of greater authority,” Maj. Gen. Schindler wrote.
Born in south Texas, Col. Ramirez entered the Air Force in October 1993 as an Aerospace Equipment Apprentice. He became a commissioned officer in 2005. He has been assigned to several squadron, group, and headquarters positions throughout the Regular Air Force and Air National Guard and has been deployed in support of numerous contingencies, including Operations Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom.
Col. Ramirez studied at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C. Prior to graduating from Senior Development Education, he previously served as the Chief, Mobility Aircraft Branch, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, MD. In his previous role, he supported 55 field units, managed aircraft conversions, modernization, and unit mobilization efforts for 10 Weapon Systems, with over 440 total aircraft across the Air National Guard.
Col. Ramirez previously served in a key position within the White House Military Office as the Presidential Contingency Training and Evaluation Officer.
His awards and decorations include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
In the civilian sector, Col. Ramirez has held numerous positions in the Operations and Maintenance fields since 2002.
National Guard officers simultaneously hold two distinct entities: a state-level one in their state’s Guard, and one in the reserves of their respective federal military branches. That means they must be approved for promotion at both the state and federal levels.
With Senate approval, Col. Ramirez’s nomination, along with that of eight others, cleared the Pennsylvania process.
Now, he must also have his nomination processed through the Pentagon and Congress, via a process called “federal recognition,” which can take months or longer.
Recently, he was assigned to report for federal active-duty military service as the Senior Air National Guard Advisor to the Reserve Forces Policy Board.