Biography

Erich P. Röetz retired from the United States Navy following a 28-year career. A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1987 and graduated from Nuclear Field “A” School as a Machinist’s Mate and Naval Nuclear Power School. He later accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy through the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

Röetz received his “Wings of Gold” as a designated Naval Aviator in March 1996 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He was subsequently assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120) for training as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot.

His operational flying assignments began with VAW-123, the “World Famous Screwtops,” deploying aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and two counter-narcotics detachments from Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

Röetz later returned to VAW-120 as a flight instructor, where he was directly responsible for training more than 100 students. In February 2003, he reported to Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as Assistant Operations Officer during the beginning of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In October 2004, he returned to VAW-123 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as senior pilot, supporting combat operations during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

In October 2006, Röetz transferred to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic as Flying Hour Program Manager, where he was responsible for a $5.4 billion program and E-2C readiness requirements.

Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he joined the staff of Carrier Strike Group TWO for Operation UNIFIED RESOLVE, assisting in relief efforts. Röetz also spearheaded planning and execution efforts for the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group during work-ups and its maiden deployment.

Upon returning from deployment in 2012, Röetz transferred to Tactical Training Group Atlantic, serving as Strike Module Head with responsibility for Carrier Strike Group and Amphibious Ready Group training. He was also responsible for the training and standardization of Tomahawk Land Attack Missile-capable ships and crews.

In October 2015, Röetz transferred to Command Operational Test and Evaluation Force, where he served as Section Head and Operations Officer in the C4I and Space Warfare Division until his retirement in January 2019.

Since retiring from the Navy, Röetz has supported the Command and Control module of Tactical Training Group Atlantic and currently serves as a civil servant within the Training, Exercises, and Wargaming Department of the Navy Warfare Development Center.

His personal awards include four Meritorious Service Medals, an Air Medal with one individual award and three Strike awards, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals. He accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours in the E-2C Hawkeye.

Röetz is also active in Scouting at the unit, council, and council service territory levels and currently serves as CST-15 Commissioner-Elect. He and his wife, Cathy, have been married since 1993 and have two children, Kevin (HM2, FMF) and Kaitlyn, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.