Lt. Col. Paul Bishop, an Oriskany Resident, is the New Commander of the 224th Support Squadron

ROME, NY (02/02/2018) ROME, N.Y - Lt. Col. Paul Bishop, an Oriskany resident, formally took command of the New York Air National Guard's 224th Support Squadron on Friday during an assumption of command ceremony at the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS).

The 224th Support Squadron is a subordinate unit of the 224th Air Defense Group (ADG). The 224th ADG provides the New York Air National Guard personnel for EADS, a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters unit tasked with the air defense of the eastern U.S.

Responsible for critical air defense systems and functions, the 224th Support Squadron installs, maintains and repairs computer networks, communications and radar equipment, conducts physical plant maintenance and engineering, and provides EADS' Security Forces and administrative support.

Bishop received command before a crowd of about 100 family, friends and Airmen. Col. John M. Balbierer, the 224th ADG Commander, served as the officiating officer for the ceremony.

"Lt. Col. Bishop has been an outstanding leader at every rank and post he's held at EADS," said Col. Bablierer, the 224th ADG Commander. "Lt. Col. Bishop is taking over a highly-trained, effective unit and I am confident his experience, management skills and sound judgment will enable the squadron to continue its superb work in support of our air defense mission."

Bishop replaces Col. David Bartczak, who recently became the Chief, Ranges, Airspaces and Command and Control for the National Guard Bureau at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

A 1989 U.S. Air Force basic training graduate, Bishop has served nearly 30 years in the Air National Guard. His first assignment was at the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, where served as an F-16 avionics maintenance specialist. In 1991, he deployed with the 174th to Al Kharj Air Base, Saudi Arabia, for Operation Desert Storm.

In 1993, Bishop transferred to the 113th Air Control Squadron in Syracuse and subsequently received his commission through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. He then completed Weapons Director training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

In 1994, Bishop moved to Rome when the 113th ACS assumed the NORAD mission at the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS).

During the past 23 years, Bishop has worked more than 31,000 mission crew hours and held several leadership positions. He holds numerous Air Battle Management qualifications including Battle Commander, Mission Crew Commander, Weapons Director, Weapons Director Technician, Weapons Assignment Officer and Senior Director.

Bishop has played a key role in several critical projects since joining EADS. He helped plan and implement the Northeast Air Defense Sector's transition into the Eastern Air Defense Sector, a change that more than doubled the unit's geographic area of responsibility. Bishop planned and executed the first-ever live fly exercise in the Washington, D.C. area that integrated NORAD fighter planes with U.S. Army ground-based air defense assets, and supervised an analysis project that devised a new work schedule that reduced crew fatigue.

Prior to taking command of the Support Squadron, Bishop was the 224th Air Defense Squadron's Director of Operations. He also served as Weapons Section Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Flight Commander and Flight Commander while in the ADS.

A 1998 graduate of Columbia College, Bishop has completed the Squadron Officers Course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, the Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.

Bishop and his wife Leah live in Oriskany. They have two daughters, Carissa and Regan.

The Eastern Air Defense Sector is a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters unit located at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, New York. Responsible for the air defense of the eastern United States, EADS is composed of New York Air National Guardsmen from the 224th Air Defense Group, a Canadian Forces detachment, Army, Navy and Coast Guard liaison officers, and federal civilians. EADS also has two detachments located in the National Capital Region.