Major Gen. Denise Donnell, Clifton Park resident and NY Air Guard commander, retires after 31 years of service

Latham, New York (05/24/2024) — New York Air National Guard Major General Denise Donnell, a Clifton Park resident, was recognized for her 31 years of military service in both the Navy and Air Force during her retirement ceremony on May 23 at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.

Donnell, who joined the Navy in 1993 and then transferred to the New York Air National Guard in 2002, served as the commander of the 105th Airlift Wing, which is based at Stewart.

She also served in the 109th Airlift Wing as commander of the 109th Maintenance Group and led the wing Airmen who deployed to Antarctica in support of National Science Foundation research on the southern continent.

As commander of the New York Air National Guard, she led 5,800 men and women in five flying wings and the Eastern Air Defense Sector which is responsible for air defense east of the Mississippi.

The New York Air National Guard is the largest Air Guard in the country.

A formal change of command with her successor, Brig. General Michael Bank, will be held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on June 3.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised Donnell for her service and her judgement.

"You ensured that each decision or policy we made was well thought out and actually improved our organization- a key tenant of a strategic leader," he said.

While I'm sad to see you retire and leave the New York National Guard, I'm also so happy for you," Shields said.

"You'll be able to spend time with those you love and enjoy, but please know that you will be missed," he added.

During the ceremony, Donnell was presented with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal for her exemplary duty performance and service to the Air Guard throughout her career.

In her remarks Donnell thanked her family - her husband Greg Szczesny, son Max and daughter Allison- for their support-and reflected on the important of being a leader.

"What you do, what you say, what you are, may help others in ways you will never know," Donnell 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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