Ballston Lake Air National Guard Officer receives Adjutant General's Award

Capt. Joshua Bowers recognized for outstanding performance as military personnel manager

Latham, New York (04/26/2024) — New York Air National Guard Capt. Joshua Bowers, a Ballston Lake resident, has been awarded the Adjutant General's Award in recognition of his work as the military personnel manager for the 5,800-member New York Air National Guard.

The award recognizes excellence in service members assigned to the New York Army or Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia, and the New York Guard state volunteer force.

Bowers is responsible for handling the New York Air National Guard's programs for funding personnel training and travel for five flying wings and the Eastern Air Defense Sector. Under his direction the office managed to speed up the process of implementing orders for personnel on duty from 15 days to 3 days.

While handling these responsibilities, Bowers also rans two New York Air National Guard Commander's Courses during which 64 officers were trained.

He has also played a key role in getting New York's Air Guard involved in the Military Reserve Exchange Program with Germany. While assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, which is based at Stratton Air National Guard Base, he also hosted a German Air Force delegations during a visit to the wing.

Finally, Bowers is also responsible for managing the travel of four Air National Guard general officers who traveled to four different continents during the past year.

Bowers graduated from Ballston Spa Central High School in 1997 and enlisted in the Active Air Force. He served on active duty in the United States, Korea, and Japan for eight years before leaving the active Air Force.

In 2012 he enlisted in the New York Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing and served as an LC-130 crew chief.

He was commissioned in 2016 after attending officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and became a full-time Air National Guard officer.

Bowers has also served in the 109th Maintenance Squadron as officer-in-charge, and as the wing's executive officer.

He has earned his pilots license and runs a part-time business as a flight instructor.

His awards include the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course Outstanding Contributor Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

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