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Col. Steven Slosek, a Galway resident, takes command of New York Air Guard's109th Airlift Wing

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. (06/12/2025) — New York Air National Guard Col. Steven D. Slosek, a Galway resident, took command of the 109th Airlift Wing during a ceremony a June 8, 2025, ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia.

Slosek is replacing Col. Robert Donaldson, who is retiring after 34 years of military service.

Major General Michael Bank, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, who presided over the ceremony, said that Slosek was well prepared for his new role.

In his remarks, Slosek, who previously commanded the wing's Operations Group, said he was looking forward to leading the wing.

"I am beyond honored and humbled to serve as your next wing commander. There is no doubt in my mind that the Airmen of this wing are among the most innovative, resilient, and mission-focused in the United States Air Force," he told the Airmen.

"Let's write the next chapter of the 109th Airlift Wing story-a chapter shaped by our grit, our values, and our unwavering commitment to one another and the mission," he added.

"I hope that you see our short time here as both a privilege and a responsibility: to carry our legacy forward and ensure the wing endures-not just for us, but for those who will follow." Slosek added.

The 109th Airlift Wing flies the largest ski-equipped aircraft in the world, the LC-130. These are also the only ski-equipped aircraft, able to land on snow and ice, in the U.S. military's inventory.

The wing supports U.S. polar science in Antarctica and Greenland on a regular basis.

Slosek was commissioned in May 2001 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Syracuse University.

Slosek, trained as a navigator, and served in the Active Air Force from 2001 to 2008 before transferring to the New York Air National Guard and the 109th Airlift Wing. He served at Warner Robbins Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base.

He has served as a navigator instructor and an evaluator navigator and has logged 4,300 hours as a navigator in LC-130, C-130 and the E-8 JSTARS.

Slosek previously commanded the 109th Airlift Wing's 139th Airlift Squadron and served as an Air Expeditionary Group commander for Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze. He has also led deployed operations in Greenland.

Slosek has served as LC-130 chief of tactics, chief of flight scheduling, unit deployment manager and Antarctic Plans Officer.

Slosek was also lead planner for three Joint Multinational Exercises involving Canadian, Danish and U.S. Arctic operations.

He has deployed four times to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and once to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror.

Slosek is a graduate of a number of military schools, including the Air Command and Staff College.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and Antarctic Service Medal.

Donaldson, a Greenfield Center resident, assumed command of the 109th in March 2024. He began his military career in 1991 as an enlisted aircrew member and commissioned as an officer in 1999 through the Academy of Military Science.

As an LC-130H navigator, Donaldson logged nearly 2,000 flying hours in support of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica and the National Science Foundation mission in Greenland. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Media Attachments

New York Air National Guard Col. Steven Slosek, right, the new commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, accepts the wing guidon from Major General Michael Bank,the commmander of the New York Air National Guard during change of command ceremonies at Stratton Air National Guard Base on June 8, 2025. Slosek replaced Col. Robert Donaldson who is retiring.

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