New York Air Guard Lt. Col. Keith Walker, a Camillus resident, takes command of the 174th Attack Wing's 174th Operations Group
HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Syracuse (06/07/2023) — New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Keith Walker, a Camillus resident, took command of the 174th Attack Wing's 174th Operations Group during a change of command ceremony held on June 3, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse.
Walker assumed command from Col. Thomas Burke,a Manlius resident, during a ceremony officiated by Col. William McCrink III, the commander of the 174th Attack Wing.
McCrink turned over command of the wing to Col. John O'Connor during a June 4 ceremony.
Walker is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours flying the KC-135 tanker, the C-130 Hercules transport, and the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.
He was an enlisted Airman before earning his commission and has served in a number of positions at the 174th Attack wing ranging from commander of the 174th Operations Support Squadron and deputy commander of the 174th Operations Group, to director of operations for the 108th Attack Squadron.
He previously served in the 107th Airlift Wing where he flew missions in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Walker is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal.
Media Attachments
Air National Guard Lt. Col. Keith Walker, right, accepts the 174th Operations Group's guidon from Col. William McCrink III, the wing commander during change of command ceremonies held at Hancock Air National Guard Base on Jun 3, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Barbara Olney)
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- East Moriches resident retires from Air National Guard after 32 years of service
- NY National Guard chaplain Timothy Miller, a Colonie resident, represents U.S. at South African conference
- New 42nd Infantry Division Commander is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- Palm Harbor resident Jack James is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- NY Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith takes command of 53rd Troop Command
- Carl Rosenkranz, a Poestenkill resident, is promoted to Major in New York Army National Guard
- NY Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing begins 37th year of support Antarctic Science
- Army Guard command headquartered at Camp Smith gets new commander on Saturday, October 19
- Darien Center resident Mike Bank, promoted to two-star general during ceremony on board C-17 at Stewart Air Guard Base on Tuesday, October 8
- NY Air Guard commander gets two-star rank during ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base