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Air Guard Col. Sanjay Shetty, a Farmingdale resident, takes command of the 106th Rescue Wing's Medical Group

F.S.GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Westhampton Beach (06/06/2023) — Farmingdale resident Colonel Sanjay Shetty took over as the new commander of the 106th Rescue Wing's Medical Group Commander during a June 2, 2023, ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York.

Shetty replaces, Col. Stephen "Doc" Rush as the medical group commander.

Rush, a full-time Air National Guard officer, transferring to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.

Colonel Shawn Fitzgerald, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, praised Shetty for his service at the wing.

"Doc Shetty has played an integral part in the growth of the Medical Group," Fitzgerald said. "I have no doubt that he is the right man for the job, bringing a wealth of experience to the position, and that he will continue to elevate the bar in the Medical Group and take them proudly to the next level."

In his remarks, Shetty thanked his family and his fellow Airmen for their support during his military career.

"I am thankful for this opportunity to lead the Medical Group," he said. "I am lucky to have had such great guidance to be put in a position to succeed."

Shetty is a graduate of Massapequa High School and attended New York University College of Arts and Sciences and New York University School of Medicine, earning a degree as a Doctor of Medicine.

In civilian life, he is the Vice Chairman of the Emergency Department of Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, New York.

He was commissioned as an officer in 2009 and joined the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In 2012, he transferred to the 106th Rescue Wing.

In 2020, Shetty was named the 106th Medical Group Chief of Aerospace Medicine. In that role he supervised all flight surgeons and established and maintained medical standards for flyers. He is also the Chairman of the Aerospace Medical Council where he leads the implementation of medical regulations in the wing.

As the Chief of Aerospace Medicine, Shetty coordinated medical training between the medical group and local hospitals.

He also created a training affiliation with Good Samaritan University Hospital to prepare military medics for deployment.

The latest training conducted by Shetty was recently recognized by the Director of the Air National Guard, Fitzgerald said.

Shetty has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine.

He and his wife Vicky have two children: Deven and Anjali.

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter.

The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.

Media Attachments

New York Air National Guard Col. Sanjay Shetty, 106th Rescue Wing Medical Group commander, salutes 106th Rescue Wing Commander Col. Shawn P. Fitzgerald during a Change of Command ceremony at the 106th Rescue Wing, F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, NY, June 2, 2023. Shetty was selected as the new 106th Medical Group commander, replacing Col. Stephen “Doc” Rush as he moves on to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel H. Farrell)

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