Douglas C. Eoute, a Lewiston resident, promoted to Colonel in the New York Air National Guard
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY (01/25/2017) — New York Air National Guard member Douglas C. Eoute, a Lewiston resident and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was promoted to colonel in a ceremony held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Eoute is the 107th Operations Group Commander responsible for the organization, training and equipping of more than 380 Guardsmen from four squadrons that comprise the Group. These include the 136th Attack Squadron, 107th Operations Support Squadron, and the 222nd Command and Control Squadron and 274th Air Support Operations Squadron.
Eoute is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering mechanics in 1987. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training, he completed follow on training in the KC-135R Stratotanker.
Eoute joined the New York Air National Guard in 1994 after serving on active duty for more than seven years at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y.
Since joining the 107th Airlift Wing, Eoute has served as an instructor and evaluator pilot. He has been a flight commander, operations officer and commander of the 136th Air Refueling and 107th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons as well as his most recent assignment as the wing Chief of Safety.
Eoute served in Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Desert Strike, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
He is a command pilot with over 5,900 hours in the KC-135R Stratotanker, C-130H2 Hercules, T37B Tweet, T-38A Talon and MQ-9 Reaper. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
As an MQ-9 Reaper pilot, Eoute is qualified in both mission combat and launch and recovery operations. He deployed this summer in support of operations in United States Africa Command.
The New York Air National Guard has had a presence at Niagara Falls Air Reserve station since 1946 when it was organized as the 107th Fighter Group flying P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers like those used in World War II.
As members of the Air National Guard, the Airmen of the 107th also respond regularly to domestic emergencies and disasters here at home.
The 107th is now in the process of converting to the MQ-9 Reaper, a remotely piloted aircraft. The unit plans to be fully operational in the new mission this year.
Media Attachments
Col. Douglas C. Eoute