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East Patchogue resident Eric Carver retires from the New York Air National Guard after 39 years of service

FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. - (12/11/2025) — New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Eric Carver, an East Patchogue, New York resident, marked the end of a 39-year military career with a retirement ceremony on Dec. 7, 2025, at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

Carver enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1986 as an avionics navigation systems specialist. Following technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, his first assignment was to Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, where he maintained T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon aircraft. He later served at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, working on KC-135 Stratotanker and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft before leaving active duty in 1990.

That same year, Carver joined the New York Air National Guard's 106th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group as a communications-navigation specialist. Over the decades, he deployed 12 times in support of Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. His previous assignments included communications and navigation craftsman, shop chief, first sergeant, avionics flight chief, and senior enlisted leader of the 106th Maintenance Operations Flight, when he was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in January 2023.

During his tenure, Carver played key leadership roles in major aircraft conversion programs, including the HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter Operational Loss Replacement, HH-60W helicopter, and HC-130J search and rescue aircraft transitions, ensuring on-time operational capability and deployment readiness.

His decisive actions during the 2025 wildfires enabled the safe evacuation of non-critical maintenance personnel while supporting the first-ever operational HH-60W helicopter use of Bambi Buckets, a collapsible container used to scoop water for aerial firefighting.

In remarks during the ceremony, presiding officer, Maj. James Lee, 106th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, praised Carver's technical expertise, leadership, and profound care for Airmen.

"Chief Carver has always been the kind of leader who measures success not by rank or title, but by the impact he has on others," Lee said. "Our aircraft flew because of him. Our Airmen grew because of him. Our mission succeeded because of him."

Carver expressed deep gratitude to his family, mentors, peers, and the Airmen he served alongside, emphasizing that service is a shared sacrifice.

Military experiences take us away from our families, but at the same time they build families, according to Carver. The experiences we share can challenge everyone in a different way, but in the end, they create the strong military bonds and stories that will last a life time, he continued.

"Thank you to my forever family of 106th maintainers," Carver said. "Thank you to the [First Sergeants] that day in and day out look after our Airmen. Thank you to all the Chiefs and Senior Enlisted Leaders. I have been incredibly honored to serve with you."

During the ceremony, Carver was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service from September 1990 to December 2025 and the Air Force Certificate of Retirement.

In closing, Carver was recognized for leaving a lasting legacy of excellence, mentorship, and selfless dedication that strengthened the Maintenance Group and the entire 106th Rescue Wing.

"You leave behind a legacy not only written in awards or decorations, but in the countless lives you've touched," Lee said. "In every Airman who stands a little taller because you believed in them, in every young maintainer who learned what 'excellence' truly looks like by watching you work."

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft and the HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.

Media Attachments

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Eric Carver, 106th Maintenance Operations Flight senior enlisted leader, poses for an official photo at the 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., October 12, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Daniel Farrell)

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