Halfmoon resident Eric Underhill is promoted to colonel in the New York Air National Guard

Latham, NY (08/10/2021) — Eric Underhill, a Halfmoon resident, was promoted to Colonel in the New York Air National Guard during promotion ceremonies held on Friday, August 6, at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Underhill, a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a retired New York State Trooper, currently serves as Joint Operations Officer for the New York National Guard.

Major General Timothy LaBarge, the commander of the New York Air National Guard who oversaw the promotion ceremony, said that Underhill is an experienced officer "who has been tested in an aggressively, comprehensive way."

In his remarks, Underhill thanked his fiancee Janelle Fayette, for her support and the officers and non-commissioned officers he has served with for their support.

Underhill's military career began in June 1989 when he enlisted in the Army Reserve's 306th Military Police Company in Chester, Vermont.

Underhill deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 306th as part of Operation Desert Shield in 1990. He later transferred to the 344th Military Police Company and served on the Army Reserve's National Combat Team marksmanship unit.

In 2001, Underhill transferred to the New York Air National Guard after reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserve.

Underhill served in the 105th Security Forces Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, and served on active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle, the U.S. military security mission in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Air National Guard in April 2002 and was assigned to the 105th Maintenance Squadron.

In 2003 he transferred to the 213th Engineering Installation Squadron, which specializes in the construction of communications systems.

He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and again in 2005. In Afghanistan in 2006 he was part of an effort to train Afghan counter narcotics police because of his experience serving with the Drug Enforcement Administration in civilian life.

As operations office for the 213th, Underhill oversaw projects involving the renovation of the U.S. Strategic Command's command and control systems and moving a space radar from Antigua to Western Australia.

Underhill took command of the 213th in 2017 and served as the commander until 2019 when he moved into a full-time position as the Deputy Joint Operations Officer for the New York National Guard after retiring from the New York State Police.

He became the Director of Joint Operations in April of this year.

Underhill's awards include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

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