Col. Jennifer King, a Prospect resident, takes command of the Easter Air Defense Sector
King as served at the Eastern Air Defense Sector and with the 224th Air Defense Group since 2011
ROME, New York (04/23/2026) — U.S. Air Force Col. Jennifer L. King, a Prospect resident, took command of the Rome-based Eastern Air Defense Sector during a chance of command ceremony held on April 17 at the Griffiss Institute Innovare Advancement Center.
King assumed command from Col. Joseph F. Roos, who is retiring.
The Eastern Air Defense Sector, known as EADS, is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and is responsible for the air defense of the United States east of the Mississippi.
"Our unit's vision of world-class airmen, ready and empowered to defeat evolving global threats" means more every day as we continually strive to meet the challenges of an ever-changing mission before us, King said during the ceremony.
"The truth is, we can't afford not to empower our airmen if we're going to succeed against the next generation of threats," King said.
King joined EADS and the New York Air National Guard in 2011. For the last two years, she has commanded the 224th Air Defense Group. This is a New York Air National Guard formation whose Airmen execute the air defense mission for EADS.
Lt. Gen. Luke Ahmann, the commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Region and 1st Air Force, was the ceremony's presiding officer.
King began her Air Force career in 2003. Following initial Air Battle Manager training at Tyndall Air Force Base, she was assigned to the 965th Air Control Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
While in the active Air Force, King served as an air weapons officer, an air surveillance officer and surveillance flight commander. She also served as an instructor for air battle managers and an operations training officer and air control squadron executive officer.
While serving as part of EADS, she has served as a senior director, mission crew commander,
During this tour, served as an Air Weapons Officer, Air Surveillance Officer, and Surveillance Flight Commander. In 2009, she returned to Tyndall to join the 325th Air Control Squadron, where she contributed as an Instructor Air Battle Manager, Operations Training Officer, and Executive Officer.
In 2011, Col. King joined the New York Air National Guard and was assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Sector.
She has served as senior director, mission crew commander and flight commander.
She also served as a Joint Interface Control Officer or JICO. In her capacity as the JICO, she supported the Air Force Command and Control Requirements Office. She oversaw sophisticated projects related to advanced sensor integration, integrated fire control, and joint combat identification.
While serving as a flight commander, King directed a team of 52 operators through 76 Presidential temporary flight restrictions and 211 tactical actions.
The teams she led earned the Air National Guard's Ground-Based Battle Management Command and Control Crew of the Year award twice.
King has won several individual awards as well.
She has been the top graduate or distinguished graduate at six Air Force courses, including Squadron Officer School, and graduated from Air Command and Staff College with outstanding distinction.
She has won the Air National Guard Air Battle Manager of the Year and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region Command and Control Warrior of the Year awards. King also received the CONR and NORAD outstanding field grade officer awards in 2021. The 224th Air Defense Group has several squadrons and detachments.
The 224th Air Defense Squadron, the 224th Support Squadron, the 224th Security Forces Squadron and a Canadian Detachment serve in Rome. Two geographically separated units, the 223rd Air Defense Squadron and the National Capital Region Coordination Center detachment, serve in the Washington, D.C. area.
For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov. For more information on the Eastern Air Defense Sector and the 224th Air Defense Group, visit www.eads.ang.af.mil.
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Col. Jennifer L. King,right, the new commander of the Eastern Air Defense Sector, receives the organization's guidon from Lt. Gen. Luke Ahmann, the commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region during a change of command ceremony at the Griffiss Institute Innovare Advancement Center, April 17, 2026. The Rome-based Eastern Air Defense Sector is responsible for the air defense of the United States east of the Mississippi.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Barbara Olney)
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