Rathmell Receives Meritorious Service Medal

A New York Air National Guard officer assigned to the 224th Air Defense Group has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Lt. Col. Steve Rathmell, from Ava, N.Y. serves as the 224th Air Defense Squadron's Director of Operations. He received the medal for his leadership of the unit's Standardization and Evaluations office. Rathmell led the office through 189 successful evaluations and received the highest rating during the Air Combat Command's Unit Effectiveness Inspection, a major inspection conducted by the Group's higher headquarters every four years. Rathmell also was recognized for effectively resolving manning gaps and scheduling conflicts, enabling the unit to complete 745 operational events without mission interruption.

The 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) is composed of the 224th Air Defense Squadron and 224th Support Squadron, located in Rome, and Detachment 1 and Detachment 2 that serve in the Washington, D.C. area. The 224th ADG provides the forces to conduct the Eastern Air Defense Sector's (EADS) mission. Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Sector is responsible for the air defense of the eastern U.S.

For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov. For more information on the 224th Air Defense Group and the Eastern Air Defense Sector, visit www.eads.ang.af.mil.

To view these members click here: https://dmna-ny.meritpages.com/achievements/Rathmell-Receives-Meritorious-Service-Medal/108950