Major Gen. Denise Donnell, a Clifton Park resident, turns over command of New York Air National Guard

Donnell has led the 5,800-member force since 2002. Brig. Gen. Michael Bank, a Darien Center resident, will now command the New York Air Guard

Latham, NY (06/03/2024) — New York Air National Guard Major General Denise Donnell, a Clifton Park resident, turned over command of the 5,800-member New York Air National Guard to Brig. Gen. Michael Bank, during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on Monday, June 3.

Donnell, who has led the nation's largest Air Guard component since 2022, retired after 31 years of service-nine in the Navy and 22 in the Air National Guard-on June 1.

Bank, a Darien Center resident, previously served as one of the Air National Guard's assistant adjutant generals and commander of the 106th Rescue Wing on Long Island.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised both Bank and Donnell in his remarks.

Shields, who commands the 16,000 members of the New York National Guard, said that Donnell had done a tremendous job leading the New York Air Guard.

"The capabilities and responsibility of the New York Air National Guard are amazing," Shields said.

New York's Air Guard men and women, who operate in five flying wings, the Eastern Air Defense Sector, and two remote air defense units in the Washington, D.C. area, conduct missions around the world, around the clock, he said.

He wished Donnell well as she embarks on the next phase of her life and career outside of the Air Force.

In her remarks, Donnell emphasized the importance of the people who make up the New York Air Guard.

"It is not about the equipment we fly; it is about the men and women we serve with," Donnell said.

The New York Air National Guard has a great team of leaders who work together to solve problems, she told Bank.

The result is an organization that can meet every challenge, she said.

"We are safer, stronger, and more ready," she said.

Donnell is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, who began her career flying the Navy's P-3 Orion.

After transferring to the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing in 2002, she flew the C-5A Galaxy transport and then transitioned to the C-17 Globemaster III transport.

From 2013 to 2016 she served in the 109th Airlift Wing and learned to fly the LC-130 "Skibird", which is equipped with skies to land on snow and ice.

From 2017 to 2022 she was the commander of the 105th Airlift Wing before becoming the commander of the New York National Guard.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and earned her commission through the Navy ROTC program.

She also holds a master's degree in government information leadership from the National Defense University.

Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and the Antarctic Service Medal.

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