Manorville resident Charles Ackley promoted to Lt. Colonel in the New York Army National Guard
Latham, NY (12/15/2025) — Manorville resident Charles Ackley was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Dec. 12, 2025 ceremony at New York Army National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York.
Ackley, who is currently serving as the executive officer to Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, has served in the Army National Guard for 30 years and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
Ackley's new rank was pinned on by his wife Karina, and sons Jameson, Everett and Braeden.
Major General Michael Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, for the New York National Guard, praised Ackley as an outstanding officer who excelled as an Army aviator.
In his remarks, Ackley thanked his family for their support over the years. "This promotion is as much yours as it is mine," he said.
Ackley is a 1996 graduate of Towanda High School in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and served as an amor crewman in the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor regiment.
Ackley entered the ROTC program at the University of Rochester and joined the New York Army National Guard as a member of the air ambulance company based at Rochester International Airport.
After graduating and receiving his commission in 2008 he was assigned as a section leader and attended flight school in 2010 to qualify as a UH-60 helicopter pilot.
In 2012 Ackley graduated from the University of Rochester with a doctoral degree in school leadership.
Ackley has served as a section leader, platoon leader, operations officer and staff officer in the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as a platoon leader for a forward support medical evacuation platoon.
He has also served in a variety of positions with the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, which is based at Ronkonkoma.
He has over 1,000 flight hours in the UH-60 as well as 200 combat flying hours.
In 2020 he deployed to Kuwait with the 42nd Infantry Division as the aviation officer.
His awards include the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.
Media Attachments
Lt. Col. Charles Ackley watches as his wife Karina and his son Jameson pin on his new rank during a promotion ceremony held on Friday, Dec. 13 at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by William Albrecht)
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- 107th Attack Wing Welcomes New Commander With Formal Assumption of Command Ceremony on Saturday, June 6
- Colt Brumm, a Barneveld resident and civilian employee at the Eastern Air Defense Sector is the Air Guard Civil Safety Professional of the Year for 2026
- Syracuse resident Tyler Swartz, recognized for excellent work by National Guard
- Hampton Bays resident Jesse J. Fritz promoted to colonel in the New York Air National Guard
- Schroon Lake resident Andrew Valenza promoted to sergeant first class in New York Army National Guard
- New York Naval Militia conducts training in the Hudson River from May 30 to June 2 near Iona Island.
- Springville resident Eric Emerling retires after 20 years of Army and Army National Guard service
- 42nd Infantry Division fallen honored in wreath laying ceremony at noon on Saturday, May 23 in Garden City
- New York National Guard headquarters marks Memorial Day with a late morning ceremony on Thursday, May 21
- Lt. Col. Adam Connolly, a Montrose resident, takes command of NY Army Guard artillery battalion