LATHAM, N.Y. — Brigadier General Anthony German, an Oneonta resident and former commander of the 109th Airlift Wing — based at Stratton Air National Guard Base outside Schenectady — took command of the 5,900-member New York Air National Guard on Monday.
He replaces Major General Verle Johnston, who commanded the Air National Guard since 2012, according to a news release from the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs. Johnston, who retired on June 12, also commanded the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard, outside of Newburgh.
German, who has been serving as chief of staff for the New York Air National Guard, will be promoted to major general (two-star) as he assumes his new duties. He also will continue to serve as the Deputy Adjutant General for the New York National Guard.
The New York Air National Guard is the largest Air National Guard in the United States, according to the release. It has five flying wings that operate C-17 cargo aircraft, ski-equipped LC-130 transports, HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters, and the MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft. The Eastern Air Defense Sector, which is responsible for monitoring the air space over the United States east of the Mississippi River and Washington D.C., is also a component of the New York Air National Guard. It also responds to state emergencies with manpower and specialized equipment.
German was commissioned in 1983 as an Air Force navigator and has amassed more than 4,900 hours of flying time in a number of different aircraft.
Prior to taking over his current position in 2010, German commanded the 109th Airlift Wing from 2006 to 2010. The wing operates the LC-130 ski-equipped Hercules transport aircraft which can land on snow and ice, the release stated.
German joined the New York Air National Guard in 1989 and has held a number of positions at the 109th, including weapons and tactics officer, chief of current operations, chief of standardization, and chief of wing plans. He also served as the Department of Defense liaison to the National Science Foundation and as executive staff support officer at New York Air National Guard headquarters.
German holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and has taken advanced military and national security courses offered at Syracuse University; the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany; the National Defense University, Washington; and Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
New York Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Kevin Bradley, former commander of the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, was also promoted to major general on Monday. Bradley, a Manlius resident, serves as National Guard assistant to the commander of United States Cyber Command, according to the release.
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