Hampton Bays resident Jesse J. Fritz promoted to colonel in the New York Air National Guard
Decorated officer leads maintenance group of the 106th Rescue Wing
FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, New York (05/29/2026) — Hampton Bays resident Jesse J. Fritz was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Air National Guard during a May 8 ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York.
Fritz, serves as the Maintenance Group Commander of the 106th Rescue Wing.
He leads a group responsible for maintaining the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, which support Air Force personnel recovery operations, civil search and rescue missions, and state emergency response efforts as directed by the Governor of New York.
Col. Jeffrey D. Cannet, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing and presiding official at the ceremony, praised Fritz for his long record of service and emphasized the significance of the promotion not just for Fritz, but for the Airmen he leads.
"Jesse, as much as this is a well-deserved promotion for you, the reality is this is for your team," Cannet said.
"Less than 1% of the Air Force achieves this rank, and with this promotion, I expect you to be able to fully advocate for your team at all levels, to better influence senior leaders, to fight day in and day out for the betterment of your group," he added.
In his remarks, Fritz thanked the wing's leaders as well as those officers and non-commissioned officers he has served with over the years.
"Standing here is a profound honor, and it is a milestone that I know I did not reach alone," Fritz said.
"You have been there in the trenches with me to help hone my leadership skills, and the lessons I've learned from all of you have simply made me a better person," he told the men and women of the maintenance group.
Fritz has deployed seven times in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East. He has also supported domestic operations and provided humanitarian relief during major storms, including Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, and Maria, which contributed to numerous lives saved.
"The expectation is that we are always ready, and the aircraft must be mission capable," Fritz said.
"Everything we do on the flight line, in the back shops, and in the Maintenance Operations Flight and Quality Assurance culminates in a single, vital purpose, ensuring that when the call comes, we are ready to bring someone back from their darkest hour."
Fritz enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in January 1999 and was commissioned in 2002 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program at Marquette University, Wisconsin.
He has held four command assignments within the 106th Rescue Wing, including commander of the 106th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, commander of the 106th Maintenance Squadron, and Director of Staff of the 106th Rescue Wing prior to assuming his current role.
He is a graduate of the Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and holds a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with an oak leaf cluster, and the Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
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 search and 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.
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New York Air National Guard Col. Jeffrey D. Cannet, left, administers the colonel's oath to Col. Jesse J. Fritz, right, during Fritz's promotion ceremony on May 8, 2026 at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York. Fritz was promoted to colonel and serves as the 106th Rescue Wing Maintenance Group Commander. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Donaldson)
New York National Guard
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