Mechanicville resident Lynette Tangredi becomes top enlisted leader for New York Air National Guard

Command Chief Master Sgt. Tangredi will oversee issues involving New York Air Guard's 4,800 enlisted Airmen

Latham, New York (08/06/2026) — Chief Master Sgt. Lynette Tangredi, a Mechanicville resident, became the top enlisted leader of the New York Air National Guard during an August 6 ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Tangredi replaced Command Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Hewson, a resident of Oakdale on Long Island, who is retiring after 40 years of service.

In her new role, Tangredi, who has also served in the Scotia-based 109th Airlift Wing, is the principal advisor on enlisted Airmen issues to Major General Gary Charlton II, the commander of the 5,908-member New York Air Guard.

Tangredi is now responsible for issues involving the health, welfare, morale, training, and professional development of New York's 4,876 enlisted Airmen.

In his comments, Charlton praised Tangredi's dedication to duty over 26 years of service, and her leadership skills.

"I have an immeasurable amount of respect for you, for your service, your integrity and the way you care for Airmen," Charlton told her."

"You have my trust, you have my ear, and when you speak on matters affecting our force, I will listen intently," he added.

During her remarks, Tangredi thanked her family for their support during her military career, which has included deployments to Antarctica, Greenland, and the Middle East.

She also thanked Charleton for putting his faith in her, and promised that she would do her best to look out for every member of the New York Air Guard's enlisted force.

"Stepping into the role of state command chief is one of the greatest challenges of my career, and I do not take this responsibility lightly," Tangredi said.

"I am ready for the challenge," she said.

"I am ready for the responsibility of ensuring every Airman in our formations are prepared for today's fight, developed to become tomorrow's leader, and knows that they are heard," Tangredi added.

Tangredi, enlisted in the Air Force in August 1997 and trained as a computer systems operator. She was initially assigned to the 83rd Communications Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

After a three-year break in service, she joined the Nevada Air National Guard in 2003. In June 2004, she joined the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base.

Tangredi served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility in the 109th Airlift Wing. These included head of cybersecurity for the 109th Communications Flight, first sergeant of the 109th Security Forces Squadron, and superintendent of the 109th Comptroller Flight.

She also worked as civil operations program manager and criminal analyst for the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

Tangredi deployed to Greenland and Antarctica in support of the 109th Airlift Wing's unique polar airlift capabilities, and in 2021

she deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as superintendent for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's comptroller squadron.

Tangredi served as the senior enlisted leader for the 105th Airlift Wing's Force Support Squadron from 2023 to 2025. At the same time, she served at the New York Air National Guard headquarters managing the Active Guard and Reserve personnel program.

Her most recent job was senior enlisted leader in New York Air National Guard headquarters and also serving as director of military personnel for the New York Air Guard.

Tangredi holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College, an Associate of Applied Science in Human Resources from the Community College of the Air Force, and a Master of Science in Management from Excelsior College.

She is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Reserve Component National Security Course in Washington, D.C.

Tangredi's awards include multiple awards of the Air and Space Achievement and Commendation Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal.

With five flying wings and the Eastern Air Defense Sector, New York boasts the largest Air National Guard in the country.

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