Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson, a Glendale, Queens resident, will become New York Air Guard's top enlisted leader on March 10

Latham, NY (03/08/2023) — A veteran pararescue jumper and Queens resident who has served as the top non-commissioned officer in Westhampton Beach's 106th Rescue Wing will become the senior enlisted leader for the 5,880-member New York Air National Guard on Friday, March 10.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson, who lives in Glendale, and is a retired Suffolk County police officer, will replace Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson during a ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters outside Albany.

Hewson will serve as a key advisor to Major General Denise Donnell, the commander of the New York Air National Guard.

"I decided to apply for the New York State command chief to try and make as much improvement in the state as possible," Hewson said. "I have always looked to put myself in a position where I can take care of people, whether its saving lives or creating a place where Airmen to stay their entire career."Joining the New York Air National Guard in 1989 after two years on active duty, Hewson spent his career as a pararescue jumper with the 106th. Pararescue jumpers are trained to parachute jump, or deploy from helicopters, into water, desert, or woods to rescue downed airmen or personnel.

As part of the 106th, Hewson has deployed to the Horn of Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan, including service in Operation Desert Storm, the Persian Gulf War in 1991.He also supported NASA space shuttle launches, civilian search and rescue operations, long-range open ocean rescue missions, hurricane relief and responded to the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center.

On the civilian side, he worked from the Suffolk County Police Department in their Emergency Services Unit, from which he retired from in 2018 after 25 years of service to focus on his role as the command chief of the 106th.

With five air wings and an air defense sector, the New York Air National Guard is the largest state Air Guard in the nation.

The New York Air National Guard flies the largest aircraft in the world capable of landing on snow and ice, flies MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft missions from locations in New York and is responsible for the defense of American airspace east of the Mississippi as part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Donnell emphasized that is important for the state command chief to connect with Airmen of all ranks, from the newest of recruits to the most senior generals in the state."Chief Hewson's focus on professional development and retention of our service members and their families make him the perfect fit for New York's next state command chief," Donnell explained.

Hewson holds an associate degree in applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force, as well as a host of professional certifications.

His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the Combat Readiness Medal.

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