Ari Guard Lt. Col. Charles Longlois, a Mayfield resident, retires after 42 years of service
Latham, NY (08/11/2025) — New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Charles Longlois, a Mayfield resident, retired after a 42-year military career during a ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on Friday, August 8.
Longlois, who enlisted in the Air Force in 1982 while a high school senior in Catskill, most recently served as the joint training and exercises chief for the New York National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters.
In this role he focused on preparing New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for the challenges in coping with disaster response and other state missions.
Col. Eric Underhill, the deputy commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, who formerly served as director of joint operations for the New York National Guard, praised Longlois for his service and dedication.
"Chuck has embodied the very essence of military excellence," Underhill said," demonstrating that with determination and integrity, there are no limits to what one can achieve."
"His progression from Airman Basic to Lieutenant Colonel represents not just personal growth, but a lifetime commitment to serving something greater than himself," Underhill added.
Langlois, Underhill said, played a key role as the New York National Guard responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the migrant crisis in New York City and the recent prison strike.
He put together training programs that turned Soldiers and Airmen into emergency medical technicians and also helped train them to work in the prisons, Underhill noted.
In his remarks, Longlois thanked his wife Sharon and his children and stepchildren for their support over the years.
Longlois was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in the joint operations section, during the ceremony.
Longlois served in the active Air Force as an enlisted Airman from 1983 until 1995. He was trained as an avionics repairman and worked on the highly classified Compass Call aircraft. He was also stationed in Germany for four years during this time and supported mission during the Persian Gulf War.
In 1995 he transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard, where he served until 2002. He became an officer in 2000 and served as a public affairs officer from 2000 to 2002.
In 2002 he transferred to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing and served there until 2013 and supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He joined the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard in 2013 and then transferred to Joint Force Headquarters in 2017.
Langlois holds a Bachelor of Arts in human resources, and associate's degrees in liberal arts and avionics systems technology.
His awards include the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, the Air and Space Overseas Ribbon, and the Air and Space Longevity Service Medal.
He holds National Guard awards from Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.
Media Attachments
New York Air National Guard Col. Eric Underhill, the Vice Commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, presents a retirement certificate to Lt. Col.Charles Longlois, a Mayfield resident, during Longlois retirement ceremony on August 8, 2025 at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. Longlois retired after 42 years of service in the Air Force and Air National Guard. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
New York National Guard
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