Lt. Col. Eric Fritz, a Webster resident, takes command of New York Army Guard helicopter battalion
Latham, New York (05/20/2025) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Fritz, a Webster resident, assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, during a May 17, 2025, ceremony at the Army aviation facility at Albany International Airport.
The battalion has companies based at Albany International Airport and at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
Fritz, a veteran with two deployments to Afghanistan, replaced Col. Paul Bailie who assumed command of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade on the same day.
Col. Jason Lefton, the outgoing commander of the combat aviation brigade, praised Fritz as an experienced and capable commander.
In his remarks, Fritz, who previously served as the second-in-command of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, said he was proud to be in command of the outstanding Soldiers of the battalion.
Fritz joined the Army in 2000 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Officer Candidate School program in 2002.
After completing flight training and Aviation Officer Basic Course in 2004 he held several assignments with the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, which is headquartered at the Army flight facility in Rochester.
He was also assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation, which flies the CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter
He deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008 and again in 2012 to 2013.
During his first deployment he served as a Platoon Leader with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation providing direct CH-47 support to 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation.
Fritz's contributions as platoon leader directly contributed to the 3-126th receiving the Army Aviation Association of America "Unit of the Year."
During his second deployment, Fritz was assigned as company commander for 116 Soldiers based in three locations in Regional Command South Afghanistan.
In 2020, Fritz deployed to Kuwait as the as the deputy division aviation operations officer for the 42nd Infantry Division.
He also served as division aviation operations officer and brigade operations officer for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
Fritz is a Master Army Aviator qualified in the CH-47 Chinook, OH-58 Kiowa, and UH-1 Iroquois.
He holds certifications as an Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner in the CH-47 Chinook.
In addition to his military assignments, Fritz is a dual-status military/federal technician within the New York Army National Guard and works as supervisory aircraft pilot at Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Rochester as the facility commander.
Fritz is a graduate of a number of military schools and the Command and General Staff College. He is currently enrolled in the Army War College.
Fritz also has a bachelor's in business administration.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Afghanistan Campaign, the NATO Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Fritz and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters Nina and Lyla and a son Anthony.
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