LATHAM, N.Y. - New York Air National Guard Brig. Gen. (one-star) Verle Johnston, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, will be promoted to major general (two-star) in a ceremony at Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters on Thursday, June 28.
WHO: New York Air National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Verle Johnston, Major Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of New York, and members of the New York Army and Air National Guard.
WHAT: Promotion ceremony in which Brig. Gen. Johnston will be promoted to major general. His promotion to major general in the New York Air National Guard, for which he was nominated by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, was confirmed by the New York State Senate June 8. The ceremony is recognition of his achievement.
WHERE: Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham N.Y., 12110
WHEN: 11 a.m. ,Thusday, June 28. 2012.
Coverage opportunities:
Reporters will be able to interview Johnston about his career and the New York Air National Guard. Major Gen. Patrick Murphy will also be available for interviews.
For access to this secure military facility members of the press must contract the DMNA Public Affairs Office at 786-4581.
Background:
Brig. Gen. Verle L. Johnston:
Brig. Gen. Verle Johnston served as the Wing Commander for the 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y., from March 2007 to April of 2012 when he assumed his current duties. He directed the conversion of the Wing from 13 C-5A aircraft to 8 C-17 aircraft.
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 well 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.
Johnston is a Guilderland resident.
The New York Air National Guard:
With 6,000 airmen serving in five air wings, the Eastern Air Defense Sector, and several other major units; the New York Air National Guard is the largest Air National Guard in the United States.
The New York Air National Guard maintains major facilities at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Station on Long Island; Stewart Air National Guard Base in the Hudson Valley, Stratton Air National Guard base near Schenectady, Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, and Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Western New York, as well as the Eastern Air Defense Sector at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome.
The New York Air National Guard operations ski-equipped C-130s that support science research in Greenland and Antarctica; flies MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft over Afghanistan; transports cargo around the world on C-130 and C017 transports, and conducts search and rescue missions with HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters and HH-130 rescue aircraft. The Eastern Air Defense Sector is responsible for the Air Defense of the eastern United States and the Nation's Capitol.