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CONTACT: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581, eric.durr@us.army.mil
FOR RELEASE: Monday, Jun 22, 2015

Brig. Gen. Anthony German takes command of New York Air National Guard on June 22

LATHAM, NY (06/19/2015)(readMedia)-- Brigadier General Anthony German, an Oneonta resident and former commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base outside Schenectady, will take command of the 5,900-member New York Air National Guard on Monday, June 22.

He replaces Major General Verle Johnston, who has commanded the Air National Guard since 2012. Johnston, who retired on June 12, has 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 serves, and 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. 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.

New York Air National Guard members also respond to state emergencies with manpower and specialized equipment.

New York Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Kevin Bradley, former commander of the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, will also be promoted to Major General on June 22. Bradley, a Manlius resident, serves as National Guard Assistant to the commander of Commander of United States Cyber Command.

German was commissioned in 1983 as an Air Force navigator and has amassed over 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 planes are used to support National Science Foundation research in Antarctica and Greenland. The wing has also been supporting Canadian Forces missions in the Arctic.

German joined the New York Air National Guard in 1989 and has held a number of positions at the 109th, to include 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 of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and has take 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.

He holds the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, several awards of the Combat Readiness Medal, the Antarctica Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal among other awards.

German lives in Oneonta with his wife Diana. They have four children. His son Capt Joshua German is a pilot in the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Squadron for the 109th Airlift Wing, and his son Ben German is a staff sergeant and public affairs non-commissioned officer for the 109th Airlift Wing.

The change of command ceremony for the New York Air National Guard takes place on Monday, June 22 at 11 a.m. at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham, NY. Reporters wishing to cover this event must contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office at 518-786-4581.

© NYS DMNA Press Release:Brig. Gen. Anthony German takes command of New York Air National Guard on June 22
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1434977840
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Page Last Modified: Jun 22, 2015