Col. Evaristo M. Orengo III., is the 156th Wing Commander at Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico. He is responsible for the wing’s traditional and full-time Air National Guardsmen tasked with three main mission sets, a Contingency Response Group, a Combat Communications Squadron, and an Air Control Squadron, as well as providing Host Nation Rider support to Combatant Commanders around the globe.
Col. Orengo is a 1997 graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. with a degree in Aeronautical Science and Aircraft Maintenance Technology. He commissioned in 1999 at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn. Col. Orengo graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 2001. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 total hours including 175 combat hours in the C-130E, C- 130H, C-130H2, C-130H2.5, WC-130H and RC-26B. Col. Orengo commanded the first Air National Guard Tactical Advisory Squadron and previously commanded the 156th Mission Support Group and the 198th Airlift Squadron.
Col. Orengo has served in various operational and staff assignments including air liaison officer and mission pilot for operations CORONET OAK, SENIOR SCOUT/PAVON HAWK and SHADOW HARVEST. In 2006, he flew combat missions during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM for the U.S. Central Command as a C-130E aircraft commander with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. In 2014, he deployed to locations in South America attached to the Special Operations Command flying the RC-26B in support of counternarcotic operations.
EDUCATION
1992 Airframe and Powerplant Aviation Mechanic Course, Miguel Such Vocational School, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1997 Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
1999 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tenn.
2001 C-130 Initial Qualification Training, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2004 Distinguished Graduate, C-130 Aircraft Commander Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2005 Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center Crew Course, Rosecrans ANGB, St. Joseph, Mo.
2006 Distinguished Graduate, C-130 Instructor Initial Qualification Training, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2006 U.S. Air Force Advanced Instrument School, Randolph AFB, Texas
2008 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Intermediate Development Course, ANG Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2015 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala.
2015 Aircraft Mishap Investigations Course, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, N.M.
2019 Air War College, by correspondence
2020 Air Advisor A-Course/Fieldcraft Uncertain, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2021 Air Advisor Mission Commander/Instructor Certification Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2022 Masters of Science in Aviation Safety, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus (Enrolled)
2022 Director of Mobility Forces Course (DIRMOBFOR), HQ USAF Expeditionary Ops School Det 1, Hulburt Fld, Fla.
2022 Defense Support of Civil Authorities Phase II (Joint), ARNORTH Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 Joint Task Force Commander Course (Joint), ARNORTH Ft. Carson Colo.
ASSIGNMENTS
September 1999–December 2000, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
January 2001–March 2001, student, C-130 Initial Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
April 2001–June 2004, C-130E Mission Copilot, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
June 2004–December 2006, C-130E Aircraft Commander, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
August 2006–November 2010, C-130E Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
January 2004–January 2007, C-130E Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
February 2007–March 2013, C-130E/H Chief of Aircrew Scheduling, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
August 2010–May 2011, Air Liaison Officer, SHADOW HARVEST, 617 AOC, AFRICOM, Ramstein AB, Germany
June 2012–September 2012, Air Liaison Officer, SENIOR SCOUT, 612 AOC, SOUTHCOM, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
April 2013–January 2015, Chief of Standardizations and Evaluations, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
January 2015–September 2016, Chief of Safety, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
October 2016–December 2019, Commander, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
September 2017–January 2018, Air Liaison Officer, Hur. Maria, Centro Operaciones de Emergencias, Puerto Rico
January 2020–April 2020, Director of Wing Staff and 198th Airlift Squadron Commander, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
April 2020–June 2021, Commander, 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
June 2021–December 2022, Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
December 2022–Present, Commander, 156th Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 5,000 with more than 175 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-1A, C-130E/H, C-130H1, C-130H2, C-130H2.5, WC-130H, RC-26B
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Service Star
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States and National Guard Association of Puerto Rico
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
FAA, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate, Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Feb. 26, 1999
First Lieutenant Feb. 26, 2001
Captain April 8, 2003
Major March 13, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 8, 2015
Colonel July 26, 2021
(Current as of February 2024)