Cutchogue resident Glyn Weir promoted to Colonel in the New York Air National Guard

F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York (08/01/2022) — Glyn Weir, a Cutchogue resident, was promoted to colonel in the New York Air National Guard during a June 14 ceremony at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

Weir, a Combat Rescue Officer, which is a Special Warfare Officer career field in the United States Air Force, has been the 106th Mission Support Group commander since May 2021.

Weir served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has deployed over a dozen times. He additionally supported domestic operations during hurricanes and other rescue missions as well as supporting NASA, most recently testing tactics, techniques, procedures and rescue equipment used for our return to human space flight.

Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, and presiding official at the ceremony, praised Weir for leading the Mission Support Group through challenging times.

"It's great for the wing because we're adding a newly promoted colonel to the ranks," Fitzgerald said.

It's great for the group because you are gaining a colonel level advocate to help fight your battles, he added.

In his remarks, Weir thanked the wing leadership, his stepfather, mom, wife, kids, fellow Airmen, and friends for their support.

"Pinning on colonel is not about the individual. It would not have happened if it wasn't for everybody around me," Weir said.

Leading the Mission Support Group, known as an MSG, has been the most challenging and rewarding part of his career so far, Weir said.

The Mission Support Group is responsible for everything from communications to security forces, from fire department to civil engineering and more.

"I got tons of help from throughout the base," Weir said. "Thank God for my command team and all the people in MSG."

"I feel gratitude and humility," Weir continued. "I always felt lucky to be in every stage of my military career."

His stepfather, a retired Air Force KC-135 chief from the Vietnam Era, inspired him to join the Air Force, Weir said.

And his mother motivated him to stay in the pararescue training when he was looking for a way out, he added.

Weir enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 and was commissioned through the Officer Training School in 2004.

When he wanted to start a family, he transferred from the 24th Special TacticsSquadron, Pope Air Force Base, NC, to the 106th Rescue Wing in 2003.

Fitzgerald said their relationship goes back to the days when he was a captain in the Army, and Weir was an Air Force lieutenant and they met each other in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"We were both in Kandahar and I was trying to learn more about the combat rescue officer career field," Fitzgerald said. "Weir selflessly helped me become a [combat rescue officer]," Fitzgerald said.

"Weir was a team player, and he knew the best thing for any organization was to get qualified and talented people," Fitzgerald said.

Weir has also served as the 106th Rescue Wing director of staff, 103rd Rescue Squadron commander, and director of operations for the 106th Operations Support Squadron.

Weir holds a bachelor's degree in management from Excelsior College and a master's degree in homeland security from American Military University.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

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