LTC Christopher Gagliardo's military career began in August 2001 when he joined the New York Army National Guard (NYARNG) through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with St. Bonaventure University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in May 2003.

Upon completion of the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course (IERW), LT Gagliardo became a rated aviator in the CH-47D Chinook and TH-67 Bell Jet Ranger. LT Gagliardo was assigned as a platoon leader with Detachment 1, Company B, 3-126th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) before taking command of that unit in August 2006. During his command, he prepared the unit for deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 07-08, where they were attached to the 82nd Airborne and later the 101st Airborne Divisions. The company was recognized by the Army Aviation Association of America as the top National Guard Unit in the country during that rotation.

After his command, CPT Gagliardo was assigned as the S2/3 of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion (ASB) from 2010-2012, attending the Aviation Maintenance Managers Course and the Captain's Career Course. In 2012, he was reassigned as the Aviation Officer to Division and promoted to Major in January 2013.

In 2013, Major Gagliardo was selected for a second company command with F Company, 1-169th GSAB MEDEVAC, which required qualification on the UH-60 A/L Black Hawk. After completing this aircraft qualification, he served as the Rear Detachment Commander and full time AO for the 642nd ASB during their deployment to Kuwait from September 2013 to July 2014.

In 2016, Major Gagliardo was reassigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) as the Brigade Aviation Officer, participating in multiple WarFighter exercises, the HERF Exeval, and the COVID Task Force. In this capacity, he served as the Region 4/5 Liaison Officer (LNO), Task Force COVID Western New York Executive Officer (XO), and Task Force COVID Deputy Commander (DCO), responsible for the operations of up to 2,000 soldiers and 42 mission sites from NYC to Niagara Falls.

In 2021, Major Gagliardo was selected as the S3 for the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (42ECAB) and subsequently promoted to LTC.

LTC Gagliardo’s awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Service Medal (5), ARCOM, AAM, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO medal.

In his civilian career, Christopher Gagliardo serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Career and Technical Education at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES (CABOCES). He has been married to his wife, Tiffany, for 21 years, and together they have four children: Autumn, Brenton, Brock, and Alana.

Current as of 25 OCT, 2024