Halfmoon resident Eric Underhill promoted to one-star general rank during October 3 ceremony
Underhill, a veteran of 37 years in the Army Reserve and New York Air National Guard will serve as Director of Joint Staff for New York National Guard
Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, NY (10/08/2026) — New York Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Eric A. Underhill, a Halfmoon resident, and a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was promoted to the one-star rank during a ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia on Oct. 3, 2026.
The base is the home of the New York Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing .
Underhill, who has served as the 109th Airlift Wing deputy commander since June 2024, will now serve as director of the Joint Staff for the New York National Guard.
In that position Underhill will oversee operations involving both the New York Army and Air National Guard, with a special focus on response to state emergencies and missions.
The promotion marks the latest chapter in a military career that began when he enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1989.He transferred to the New York Air National Guard in 2001.
In civilian life Underhill served in the New York State Police from 1992 to 2019.
Prior to taking on the job at the 109th Airlift Wing, Underhill served as the director of joint operations for the New York National Guard. In that role he handled the same kind of missions he will now have overall responsibility for.
Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, said Underhill's military and civilian experience have prepared him for the position.
"Eric's background with the New York State Police, combined with his military experience, makes him uniquely qualified to be the director of the Joint Staff and for promotion to Brigadier General," Shields said.
Shields said he has worked closely with Underhill since October 2019, when Underhill became the deputy director of operations at Joint Force Headquarters, and has learned that he is an exceptional officer.
"Eric is someone who I have come to trust and rely upon - time and time again," Shields said.
In his role as the deputy commander of the 109th Airlift Wing, which operates regularly in Greenland, Underhill has made himself an expert on work with the Danish military and Greenland and Danish governments, Shields said.
"In this new role, we will rely even more on Eric's leadership and experience," Shields said.
In his remarks, Underhill said he appreciated the trust Shields was putting in him.
"I am deeply honored and humbled by this promotion, and by the privilege to serve as the incoming Director of the Joint Staff for the New York National Guard," Underhill said.
Underhill also credited his family, fellow service members, mentors and leaders for supporting him throughout his career.
"A moment like this is never the result of one person's effort alone," Underhill said. "It represents the quiet sacrifice, steady trust, and unwavering mentorship of many people over many years."
As he closed his remarks, Underhill said the promotion represents more than a new rank.
"This rank brings greater responsibility, and I accept it with profound humility and total resolve," Underhill said.
"I commit to serving with integrity, supporting our adjutant general and commanders, caring for our service members and their families, and ensuring the New York National Guard remains ready to answer the call."
Underhill enlisted in an Army Reserve Military Police unit in June of 1989 and deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq in support of Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and took part in operations to clear Iraq forces out of Kuwait in 1991.
He continued serving in military police positions until 1999, when he joined the Army Reserve National Combat Team.
In 2001, he transferred to the New York Air National Guard and was activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Underhill received his commission through the Academy of Military Science in April 2002.
He went on to serve in engineering, operations and command positions with the 213th Engineering Installation Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base.
During that time, he deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Underhill became deputy director of operations for the New York National Guard in October 2019 and director in February 2021.
In those positions, he helped direct operations involving more than 3,500 service members at more than 125 mission sites during the New York National Guard's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Underhill joined the 109th Airlift Wing in August 2023 as commander of the 109th Mission Support Group before becoming the wing's deputy commander in June 2024.
As deputy commander, Underhill helped lead more than 1,160 personnel supporting worldwide Department of Defense missions and New York National Guard requirements.
Underhill holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Buffalo, and a Master of Business Administration from Sage College. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College, the National Security Management Course at Syracuse University, and the Combined Joint Warfare School.
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.
Media Attachments
The family of U.S. Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Eric Underhill pin on his new rank during his promotion ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, N.Y., Oct. 3, 2026. U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, Adjutant General for the State of New York, presided over the ceremony marking Underhill’s promotion from colonel to brigadier general. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Madison Scaringe
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, left, and newly promoted Brigadier General Eric Underhill stand at attention during Underhill’s promotion ceremony on October 3, 2026, at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York. Underhill served as Deputy Wing Commander of the 109th Airlift Wing and was selected to serve as the Director of Joint Staff at New York National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Madison Scaringe)
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