Niskayuna resident Jason Lefton promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard

Latham, NY (09/09/2021) — Niskayuna resident Jason Lefton, a veteran of the Iraq War, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Latham on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Lefton currently serves as the New York Army National Guard's state aviation officer. He oversees the operations of the 30 helicopters flown by the New York Army National Guard.

He is also slated to assume command of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in November.

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, praised Lefton for his service since earning his commission in 1996, and stressed the importance of his role.

Lefton, he said, has an incredibly important position. He ensures that the state's Army aviators adhere to the standards which keep them safe, Shields said.

There are only 29 colonels in the New York Army National Guard, Shields said, and reaching that rank is significant for any officer.

In his remarks Lefton thanked his family for their support of his military career as well as the people he has worked and served with.

"It's been a long road, but I didn't get here alone and I had the backing of a lot of awesome people," Lefton said.

Lefton, who earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Program at Marion Military Institute, began his career as an officer in the 1st Battalion, 156th Field Artillery. He became an Army aviator in 2000.

He has held a variety of positions to include operations officer of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment; Detachment Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment; executive officer and commander of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment; Commander of B Company, 642nd Aviation Battalion; Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility Number 1; and executive officer and operations officer of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Lefton deployed to Iraq in 2008 as the executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment; and served as a battle captain for Multi-National Division Southeast in Bosnia in 2002. He deployed to Kuwait in 2013 with the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and served as both the operations and executive officer.

In 2017, while serving as commander of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, he led a support mission to Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Lefton is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

His awards include two awards of the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Master Army Aviator Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor's degree in communications from the State University of New York, Albany.

He holds a commercial helicopter pilots licenses and a single engine airplane license. He is also a fully registered representative in the financial services industry.

He and his wife Heather have two sons, Mack and Seth.

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