Photo By Master Sgt. Sara Pastorello | U.S. Air Force Col. Gary Charlton, Commander of the 105th Airlift Wing assumes command...... read more read more
Subscribe
Colonel Gary R. Charlton II assumed command of the 105th Airlift Wing during a change of command ceremony held at Stewart Air National Guard Base, March 6, 2022. Charlton assumed command from Brig Gen Denise M. Donnell, who will be taking the position as new Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the New York Air National Guard.
Presiding officer, Maj. Gen. Timothy J. LaBarge, outgoing Commander of the New York Air National Guard, was present to officiate the ceremony. LaBarge gave praise to the outgoing commander’s incredible achievements during her time as wing commander, including an increase in the mission capability rates of the C-17 Globemaster as well as personnel retention rates.
"Those are all the marks of a great organization," said LaBarge. "An organization that has completed the journey from good to great under General Donnell’s tenure and her leadership.”
As she handed over command, Donnell reflected on some of the obstacles overcome by the airmen she led.
“From covid to Kabul, the challenges have been many” said Donnell, “But you have always been ready and you have always been there.”
When the incoming commander stepped to the podium, he addressed the men and women of the 105th Airlift Wing.
“Members of the 105th, your patriotism, volunteerism, and dedication to something larger than yourself is what empowers this wing to take the fight to the enemy,” said Charlton. “I have already seen it first hand, the 105th makes it happen.”
Colonel Charlton enlisted in the New York Air National Guard in May 1990 and served as a fuels systems technician. He graduated from Columbia College in 1995 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He then commissioned in 2000 and attended undergraduate pilot training in 2001.
Colonel Charlton completed initial F-16 qualification training in 2002 and served as an F-16C pilot flying with the 138th Fighter Squadron, Hancock Field, N.Y. He has held the positions of flight, detachment, and squadron commander of the 138th Fighter Squadron; as well as 107th Operations Group commander. A combat veteran, Charlton served seven combat deployments, Operations DESERT SHIELD and STORM, and NORTHERN WATCH while enlisted, and four additional deployments flying F-16C combat missions in Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. He is a command pilot with over 3,200 flying hours in the T-37, T-38A, T-38C, F-16C/D, MQ-1, and MQ-9. Prior to his current assignment, he was the commander of the 107th Attack Wing, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
| Date Taken: | 03.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.1969 19:00 |
| Story ID: | 421360 |
| Location: | NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 105th Airlift Wing Change of Command, by MSgt Patrick Espeut, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
