CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
October Spotlight Master Sgt. Raymond Patrick Franze II from Dover, Delaware, has dedicated two decades of service to the United States Air Force. Residing in Falling Waters, West Virginia, Franze has spent 23 years in logistics of receiving, storing, accounting, sampling, and issuing bulk petroleum fuels and cryogenic products for Department of Defense assets. Currently assigned to the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing as a Fuels Management Flight Leader (2F0X1), his responsibilities are essential to ensuring operational readiness.
Notably, Franze's supported the Air National Guard Readiness Center’s Crisis Action Team at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. He also contributed to the ANGRC's Functional Area Manager’s office shortly after, demonstrating his adaptability and readiness to serve in critical situations.
Franze holds an A.A.S. in Logistics Management from the Community College of the Air Force and a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from Shepherd University. This also includes a passion for aviation, travel and golf, and he maintains a connection to Shepherd University through its athletics programs.
In addition to his full-time work with the 167th Airlift Wing, Franze’s career outside the Guard includes being a high school Social Studies teacher, preparing tax returns and utilizing his journalism skills.
Franze’s goals are both personal and professional. He strives for a healthy work-life balance, plans to travel, and aims to achieve a low golf handicap. On the professional side, his aspirations include obtaining flight instructor certificates and by retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant.
One of Franze's favorite memories comes from a temporary duty assignment to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, where he visited the village his family lived in while his grandfather was stationed at Hahn Air Base nearly 40 years prior. Moments like these remind him of the strong ties the military has brought to his life and family.
For those considering joining the West Virginia National Guard, Franze believes that the WVNG opens doors to countless opportunities — paid training, networking, full-time employment, and leadership development. Success often comes from seizing the opportunities made available through service, and the WVNG provides those pathways.
At 42 years old, Franze is proud of his accomplishments and continues to value the long-term relationships formed within the WVNG. As he looks forward to the future, his dedication to his unit and the Airmen he leads remains unwavering.