Major General Verle Johnston

Commander, New York Air National Guard

Major General Johnston is the Commander of the New York Air National Guard . He took command on April 15, 2012 after serving as commander of 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y. since 3 March 2007.

In that job he directed the conversion of the Wing from 13 C-5A aircraft to 8 C-17 aircraft. He is responsible for the combat readiness of assigned units by reviewing training programs and ensuring availability of necessary equipment and supplies.

Major General Johnston received his commission in 1974 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He served 6 years on active duty primarily flying KC-135A aircraft in the Strategic Air Command.

In the Air National Guard General Johnston has flown numerous aircraft as an instructor and evaluator pilot. He has served in command as Operations Group Commander, Logistics Group Commander and Vice Wing Commander in addition to currently serving as 105th Wing Commander. He has served as an Air Expeditionary Group Commander in Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze. He is a command pilot with more than 7,500 flying hours including the C-17, C-5A, C-12J, C-26B, C-130D, C-130H, LC-130, KC-135A, T-37 and T-38.