Aug. 11, 2026 Legacy of the Guardian Angel: State Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson Retires After 40 Years of Service Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael T. Hewson, a Pararescueman (PJ) and the New York Air National Guard's senior enlisted leader, retired Aug. 1 after 40 years of military service during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.
Aug. 4, 2026 Middle Island Resident Promotes to Colonel in the New York Air National Guard New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Middle Island resident, promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York, July 31.
June 8, 2026 106th Rescue Wing Bids Farewell to Guardian Angel Pioneer Col. Glyn B. Weir After 34 Years of Service New York Air National Guard Col. Glyn B. Weir, one of the 106th Rescue Wing’s first Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), retired June 6, 2026, after 34 years of military service during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York.
June 6, 2026 Meliville Resident Lt. Col. Michael Rutigliano Honored During 106th Rescue Wing Retirement Ceremony Lt. Col. Michael S. Rutigliano, a resident of Melville, New York, concluded his 30-year career assigned to the New York Air National Guard, 106th Rescue Wing, at a retirement ceremony on base in Westhampton Beach, New York, June 6, 2026.
May 8, 2026 Jesse J. Fritz Promoted to Colonel in the New York Air National Guard Jesse J. Fritz was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Air National Guard during a May 8 ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York, where he serves as the Maintenance Group Commander of the 106th Rescue Wing.
March 8, 2026 New York Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service New York Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Long Island native, retired after 39 years of service at the 106th Rescue Wing with a ceremony in an aircraft hangar, March 7, 2026, at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.
March 8, 2026 Bay Shore Resident Selected as New York State First Sergeant of the Year New York Air National Guard Senior Master Sergeant John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident and Bronx native, assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing (RQW), has been selected as the New York State First Sergeant of the Year for 2026.
Feb. 8, 2026 Middle Island Resident Assumes Command of the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing’s Mission Support Group New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Pflugerville, Texas native and Middle Island resident, assumed command of the 106th Rescue Wing’s Mission Support Group, during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York, Feb. 7.
Feb. 8, 2026 Center Moriches Teen Named Semifinalist for Military Child of the Year Award New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Sara Luna’s daughter, Kristin, 15, of Center Moriches, New York, has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award, following the national nonprofit’s Jan. 26, 2026, announcement of this year’s 68 semifinalists.
Feb. 8, 2026 Hampton Bays Resident Assumes Command of the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing’s Maintenance Group New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Jesse Fritz, a DeForest, Wisconsin native and Hampton Bays resident, assumed command of the 106th Rescue Wing’s Maintenance Group, during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York, Feb. 7.