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Niskayuna Resident Returns to Full-Time Duty to Support Air National Guard Recruitment

LATHAM, N.Y. (02/13/2025) — New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Cooper Steele, a Niskayuna resident, has volunteered to temporarily return to full time duty with the New York Air National Guard. Steele returned to duty on January 1, 2025.

Steele now serves as the lead officer for recruiting and retention marketing at the Joint Force Headquarters in Latham, supporting the five wings and the Eastern Air Defense Sector that make up the New York Air National Guard.

Traditionally, recruiting for new members is done locally, with recruiters serving at each element of the New York Air National Guard in their local community. Steele is expanding that work for the Air National Guard headquarters to provide a statewide approach and support to those local recruiters.

In his new role, Steele works to improve the organization's marketing and branding efforts across the state. Steele had previously served as a director of cyber and communications for the New York Air National Guard headquarters.

"I thought this was a great way for me to help more people know about the opportunity to serve in the armed forces without having to move or live outside their state," Steele said. "As a parent of children rapidly approaching the end of high school, I'm continually amazed how many people don't know what a great option the Air National Guard is to pay for college and/or get technical training."

Steele has worked for the past 13 years as a Learning and Development professional at Publicis Sapient. He plans to return to his civilian career at the end of September 2025.

His assignment will focus on raising community awareness about the benefits of serving in the New York Air National Guard.

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New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Cooper Steele. Steele, a traditional Air Guard member, returns to full-time duties to support the New York Air National Guard recruiting effort in 2025.

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