CONTACT: Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Halloran, 105AW Public Affairs 845-563-2031.

FOR RELEASE: Sunday, Apr 15, 2012

ON SITE: Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Halloran, 105AW Public Affairs 845-563-2031.

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH, N.Y. (04/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Col. Timothy LaBarge, a Tupper Lake resident, takes command of the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing on Sunday, April 15 during a ceremony here. LaBarge, currently the commander of the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base will replace Brig. Gen. Verle L. Johnston Jr. Johnston will become the Acting Commander of the 6,000-member New York Air National Guard. WHO: Col. Timothy LaBarge, the incoming commander; Brig Gen. Verle L. Johnston Jr., the outgoing commander; Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, and the men and women of the 105th Airlift Wing. WHAT: Formal change of command ceremony in which Johnston will transfer command of the 105th Airlift Wing to LaBarge. The custom of acknowledging a change in commanding officers of a military unit with a formal ceremony has long been a tradition within military history. The purpose of a change-of-command ceremony is to emphasize the continuity of leadership and the unit identity despite changes in individual authority. Members of the media will be able to interview both the incoming and outgoing commanders prior to the official ceremony. WHEN: Interview opportunity at noon on Sunday, April 15, 2012. Formal Ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2012. Members of the press must be in place for the ceremony at 12:45 p.m. WHERE: Hanger 100, Stewart Air National Guard Base, 2 Maguire Way, Newburgh, New York NOTE: Members of the press must contact Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Halloran to schedule an interview or access this secure military facility. The event is taking place on a unit drill weekend so visitors should build time to clear the gate and park in their coverage plan. Coverage Opportunities: Interviews with Col.Tim LaBarge and Brig. Gen. Verle Johnston, and video and still imagery of the formal change of command ceremony. BACKGROUND: Col. Timothy LaBarge: Col. Timothy La Barge is a 28-year veteran of the Air Force and Air National Guard who lives in Tupper Lake, and served in the 105th Airlift wing from 1992 to 2006 as a C-5 instructor and evaluator pilot, a squadron operations officer, the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation and the Chief of the Wing Command Post before moving into positions at Air Force Headquarters and New York Air National Guard Headquarters. Prior to assuming command of the 109th Airlift Wing, LaBarge served as Director of Staff for the New York Air National Guard. In that role he was the principal advisor to the Adjutant General and the New York Air National Guard commander on Air National Guard issues. He also served as the New York Air National Guard Chief of Staff. LaBarge also served in the Directorate of Total Force Integration, Air Force Strategic Planning at Air Force Headquarters in Washington. As a subject matter expert in the Mission Development Division, he worked with the Air Staff, the National Guard Bureau, Air Directorate, Joint Directorate and the Air Force Reserve to develop initiatives that maximize the Air Force’s overall combat capabilities and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all Air Force components. LaBarge, a graduate of St. Lawrence University in Canton, joined the Air Force in 1983 and was commissioned through the Officer Training School program. Colonel LaBarge is a command pilot with experience flying the T-37, T-38, C-5, C-130 and LC-130 and has flown combat and combat support missions in Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officers School, Air Force Command and General Staff School and the Air War College. LaBarge’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal the Air Force Commendation Medal , the Combat Readiness Medal the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal two bronze stars , the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ,the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, the Antarctic Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait. LaBarge and his wife Petra have two daughters Lyndsay, and Emily and a grand-daughter named Tayler. Brig. Gen. Verle Johnston Jr. Brig. Gen. Verle Johnston has served as the Wing Commander for the 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y since March 2007. He has been directing 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. Johnston is moving to a position at New York Air National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y. 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. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as will as a law degree from Albany Law School. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College. Johnston’s awards include the Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal ; Air Medal ;Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Achievement Medal:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award :Combat Readiness Medal; Air Force Recognition Ribbon;National Defense Service Medal; the Antarctica Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service .