Photo By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Scofield | Col. William J. McCrink, 174th Attack Wing Commander, stands next to Col. Kevin...... read more read more
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HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL BASE, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard Col. Kevin St.John, formerly the 152nd Air Operations Deputy Commander, assumed command of the 152nd Air Operations Group (AOG) in a ceremony on Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Saturday, April 30.
St.John replaced Col. James J. Muscatello, who had commanded the 152nd AOG since 2020. Col. William J. McCrink III, 174th Attack Wing commander, was the presiding official for the ceremony.
The formal assumption of command ceremony is a ceremony rooted in history, dating back to the Roman Legions. Military organizations developed flags or colors unique to their unit. Soldiers followed their colors into battle, and always knew to whom to look to, for leadership. The public exchange of colors acknowledged the formal change of command.
When discussing the group's future St.John said, “The immediate plan is to sign a memorandum of understanding with Air Force research labs to collaborate on artificial intelligence as it can support command and control.”
St.John earned his commission from the Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in 1994. He’s earned a Master Air Battle Manager rating with robust Command and Control experience in four of the 5 Theater Air Control System weapon systems: the E-3 AWACS, Control and Reporting Center (CRC), Battle Control Center (BCC) and the Air Operations Center (AOC), supporting a gamut of Operations ranging from NORTHERN and SOUTHERN WATCH, through ALLIED FORCE, to NOBLE EAGLE and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Prior to being the Deputy Commander, St.John was Commander of the 152nd Combat Operations Squadron, with operational duty positions ranging from Chief, of Strategy and Future Operations Division to Air Tasking Order Coordinator. In each he was responsible to the AOC Director for ensuring the Joint Force Air Component Commander’s (JFACC) intent was pervasive throughout planning, positioning, coordinating and employing battlespace effects.
St.John has also held the position of Weapon System Council (WSC) Chair for Operational Command and Control for the last two years. As WSC Chair he coordinates, synthesizes and represents the interests of the eight Air Operations Groups in the Air National Guard. This advocacy includes representation on the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council (ADFAC); informing and advising the Director of the Air National Guard (DANG) on key operational concerns from operational units.
St.John received his commission at the USAF Officer training School at Maxwell AFB, AL in June 1994. Since then, he has held positions at Barksdale AFB, Lackland AFB, Tyndall AFB, Tinker AFB, Orange ANGB, Otis AFB, Hancock Field, and other locations.
As for major awards and decorations, St.John has received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and eleven Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor.
The new commander has a rating of Master Air Battle Manager with over 1,000 flight hours.
“This is a great opportunity,” said St.John. “But with every opportunity is a challenge with the bar always being set higher than the person before you. “
St.John is a resident of Virginia.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2022 09:14 |
| Story ID: | 419767 |
| Location: | SYRACUSE, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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