Former Sayre resident Charles Ackley promoted to Lt. Colonel in the New York Army National Guard

Ackley, who serves as a key aid to the commander of the New York National Guard is a 1996 Towanda High School

Latham, NY (12/15/2025) — Charles Ackley, a 1996 graduate of Towanda High School whose parents still live in Sayre, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Dec. 12, 2025, ceremony at New York Army National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York.

Ackley served in the Pennsylvania and New York Army National Guard for 30 years and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

Ackley's new rank was pinned on by his wife Karina, and sons Jameson, Everett and Braeden. The ceremony was livestreamed for his parents to watch as well.

Ackley, who lives in Manorville on Long Island, currently serves as the executive officer to Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, who commands the New York National Guard.

Major General Michael Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, for the New York National Guard, praised Ackley as an outstanding officer who excelled as an Army aviator and is outstanding at his staff job.

In his remarks, Ackley thanked his family for their support over the years. "This promotion is as much yours as it is mine," he said.

Ackley is a 1996 graduate of Towanda High School in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and served as an amor crewman in the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor regiment.

Ackley entered the ROTC program at the University of Rochester and joined the New York Army National Guard as a member of the air ambulance company based at Rochester International Airport.

After graduating and receiving his commission in 2008 he was assigned as a section leader and attended flight school in 2010 to qualify as a UH-60 helicopter pilot.

In 2012 Ackley graduated from the University of Rochester with a doctoral degree in school leadership.

Ackley has served as a section leader, platoon leader, operations officer and staff officer in the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as a platoon leader for a forward support medical evacuation platoon.

He has also served in a variety of positions with the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, which is based at Ronkonkoma.

He has over 1,000 flight hours in the UH-60 as well as 200 combat flying hours.

In 2020 he deployed to Kuwait with the 42nd Infantry Division as the aviation officer.

His awards include the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.

Media Attachments