New York Air Guard Col. John Meili, a Jordan resident, assumes command of Syracuse-based National Guard group

Meili will lead the 152nd Air Operations Groups, whose Airmen are trained to coordinate air war campaigns

Syracuse, New York (08/14/2024) — New York Air National Guard Col. John Meili, a resident of Jordan, New York assumed command of the New York Air National Guard's 152nd Air Operations Group during a ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, on Aug 3, 2024.

Meili assumed command from Col. Kevin St. John, a Virginia resident. St. John, who helmed the group since 2022, will retire this fall after 30 years of military service.

The Air Guard's 152nd Air Operations Group deploys Airmen to staff the 603rd Air Operations Center at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. That center is responsible for conducting air space command and control operations across Europe and Africa.

U.S. Air Force Col. John O'Connor, the commander of the 174th Attack Wing, presided over the ceremony where he praised both St. John and Meili's service records, competence and professionalism.

"Col. St. John has worked hard to improve relationships across the wing and has been a strong partner in our efforts to meet the challenges faced by a wing with two distinctly different operational missions," O'Connor said.

"Thank you, Saint, for leading well, taking the 152nd to higher levels, and enabling this Wing to lead the way in the (Air Operations Group) community. I know the group will continue to excel moving forward."

"The 152nd is 169-airmen strong, with the highest op tempos among like units," St. John said in his remarks.

"We're 70% drill-status guardsmen, and Airmen routinely travel from as far as Seattle, Colorado Springs and North Carolina to be part of this unit. Our mission is important, but it's the humans and the culture that create that kind of loyalty and commitment," he said.

Meili, has served as the group's deputy commander since 2022.

"Col. Meili has served the group and the wing exceptionally, enabling the 152nd's incredible record of accomplishment," O'Connor said.

"I know he is ready to lead this talented group of command-and-control experts, focusing on our people first, so they can continue to provide the service we need to meet any mission demand that comes our way," he added.

Meili enlisted in the active-duty United States Air Force in 1989, serving as a target intelligence specialist. In 2003, Meili commissioned as an intelligence officer at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Tx. In 2008, Meili transitioned to the New York Air National Guard serving as the 152nd AOG chief of intelligence, prior to serving as the group's deputy commander.

"I owe each one of you and your families a sincere expression of gratitude for this opportunity to continue to serve this organization,' said Meili, addressing members of the152nd. "We got here together, and we will move forward together. Together we will continue to achieve extraordinary things."

Meili is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters and the Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

He has an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College. Meili is married to Cindy Meili and has two children currently serving on active duty in the United States Air Force: Staff Sergeant Ryan Meili and Senior Airman Jeremy Meili.

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