A true asset to his community

New York Air National Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Verle L. Johnston (right) presents Lt. Col. Edward W. Cook, 174th Attack Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, with the Colonel Governour Morris Citizen Soldier Award at Hancock Field, Syracuse NY on 3 March 2013. The award is presented annually to a member of the New York State Organized Militia who has distinguished himself through outstanding support to the New York National Guard and his local community. (NYANG photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Huett/Released)

A Chief bids fairwell

New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. James Thomas (right) receives the Meritorious Service Medal from NYANG Col. Greg Semmel, 174th Attack Wing Commander, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York on 2 March 2013. Thomas received the award as a part of his retirement ceremony after more than 35 years of service in the military. (NYANG photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy M. Call/Released)

Commendation Medal with Valor

New York Air National Guard Col. Charles S. Dorsey (left), 174th Fighter Wing Vice Commander, presents Tech. Sgt. Michael J. Brown the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor during a ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse NY, on 5 May 2012. Tech. Sgt. Brown was instrumental in responding to a fire in the United Arab Emirates Special Forces compound, helping to battle a 5.5 acre fire with 30 foot flames that resulted from an insurgent 107 millimeter rocket attack. His heroic efforts during the five hour event prevented the evacuation of 8,000 personnel, the installation hospital, and avoided disruption to vital combat air operations. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Ricky Best/RELEASED)

Maj. Matt Dougherty is New Maintenance Squadron Commander

New York Air National Guard Col. John Balbierer (left), 174th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group Commander, presents the guidon to Maj. Matthew Dougherty who assumed command of the 174th Maintenance Squadron during a ceremony held at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base on 1 April 2012. Maj. Dougherty takes over command from Lt. Col. John O’Conner. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Ricky Best/RELEASED)

Exceptionally Meritorious Service

Lt. Col. Edward Cook (left), Commander, 174th Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, is presented the Bronze Star medal by 174th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Greg Semmel, during a ceremony held on 31 March 2012 at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY. Cook received the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service as the Director of Joint Logistics, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command, while deployed to Afghanistan from August 2011-Feb 2012. (NY Air National Guard Photo by: Staff Sgt. James N. Faso II, Released)

Col. Reid Muller Retires

New York Air National Guard State Air Surgeon Col. Reid T. Muller (right) receives the Conspicuous Service Medal from Col. Kevin W. Bradley, 174th Fighter Wing Commander, during Col. Muller's retirement ceremony held at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY on 4 March 2012. The medal was awarded by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to commemorate Col. Muller's long and distinguished career. (New York Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy M. Call/Released)