Coxsackie Resident Promoted to Brigadier General in NY Air National Guard

Shawn Clouthier receives star as Guard's newest general officer after 35 years of service

by Story by Col. Richard Goldenberg, NY National Guard. Photos by Master Sgt. Willie Gizara, 109th Airlift Wing

Latham, NY (03/22/2018) — The New York Air National Guard promoted its newest general officer March 21 with the presentation of the one star rank of brigadier general to Col. Shawn Clouthier, a Coxsackie resident and former commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, based in Scotia, N.Y.

Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General and the Commander of the New York Air National Guard presided over the ceremony in front of New York's Joint Forces Headquarters with family, friends and members of the 109th Airlift Wing in attendance.

"While we come together today to celebrate Shawn's promotion," German said, "we recognize that it is a great day for the entire family."

Clouthier's military service began in 1982 and aside from military education or training, his entire time has been spent with the 109th Airlift Wing.

"Today's promotion may be one of the last in a long line of an Airman serving an entire career in the same unit," German said.

Clouthier began his service as a traditional Guardsman and LC-130 Navigator in the wing and went on to become a full-time member of the wing in 1996, commanding the wing's maintenance squadron, maintenance group, operations group and eventually wing commander.

Clouthier was quick to point out the past commanders and senior leaders in his career that helped bring him to his new role.

"I've spent about 35 years in the 109th (Airlift Wing), and that's where these stars really come from, the wing, and all the leaders, officers and NCOs I've served with," Clouthier said. "They're the ones who helped me along the way."

"I promise I will earn the honor in these stars," he said.

In his new assignment as Assistant Adjutant General for the New York Air National Guard, Clouthier is now responsible for the mission readiness and operational effectiveness across a broad spectrum of programs and activities of more than 5,800 people assigned to five flying units and four geographically separated units.

"We look forward to what you will bring to our headquarters and putting you to work," German said.

Clouthier now serves as a principal advisor on all Air Guard matters to the Adjutant General, from readiness for overseas missions to serving in New York communities for civil support assistance during times of disaster or crisis.

"I get to continue to serve you but I also get to serve at the next level," Clouthier said of his new role in serving the entire New York Air National Guard's 5,800 Airmen. "We're called upon constantly to help the citizens of our state. It's one of the things that the Guard is all about," he said.

Clouthier earned his commission through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base. Tennessee, in 1982. He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, California, in 1982.

Following his graduation from navigator training he was assigned to the 139th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, New York., where he became an LC-130 navigator. He remained a traditional guardsman while working fulltime as an accounts payable supervisor for the New York State Senate.

After working 13 years in the New York State Senate, he became a fulltime member of the 109th Airlift Wing in 1996 working on the U.S. Antarctic Program.

He became a federal technician employed at the 109th Airlift Wing in 1999.

Clouthier became the Maintenance Squadron Commander May of 2009 and officially assumed the position of Deputy Maintenance Group Commander on July 17, 2009.

Two years later, he became the 109th Maintenance Group Commander. Only a few months later, in August 2011, he assumed the position of 109th Operations Group Commander.

From May 2012 to October 2017 he served as the Wing Commander of the 109th Airlift Wing and now serves at New York Joint Force Headquarters as an Assistant Adjutant General.

Clouthier has over 7,000 flying hours in the LC-130, the ski-equipped transport planes flown only by the 109th Airlift Wing, as well as in other versions of the C-130 transport.

Clouthier's awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Antarctica Service Medal.

Clouthier is a graduate of the Air War College and holds a Bachelor's degree in general studies from Regents College.

Clouthier and his wife Janice live in Coxsackie, N.Y.

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