NY Air Guard Major GEmma Fiduk, an East Windsor, NJ resident, takes command of 105th Airlift Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron
Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York (06/12/2026) — New York Air National Guard Major Gemma Fiduk, an East Windsor, New Jersey resident, assumed command of the 105th Airlift Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron during a June 7 ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.
Fiduk replaced Lt. Col. Benjamin Thomas, who is retiring after a 20-year military career.
Fiduk previously served as the deputy base engineer. She will now also serve as the base civil engineer, as well as commanding the 105th Civil Engineer Squadron.
Air Force civil engineers are responsible for infrastructure projects on air bases and at deployed locations. One of their specialties is rapid runway repair.
Fiduk will now also be responsible for the base fire department and emergency management team.
Fiduk was commissioned as a civil engineer officer in 2013 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Rowan University.
She was initially assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base and then deployed as a contracting officer representative to Al Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait.
Following that deployment Fiduk participated in the Air Force Institute of Technology's Civilian Institution Program.
She earned a Master of Science in Building Construction and Facility Management from Georgia Tech while concurrently acquiring a Master of Science in Transportation Engineering from the University of Louisville and her Professional Engineer License.
Fiduk has also served as an instructor at the Air Force Civil Engineer School at Wright Petterson Air Force Base and served as Air Force Central Command's pavement engineer at Udeid Air Base in Qatar. She has also served at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and at Peterson Space Force Base.
She joined the New York Air National Guard in 2026.
Her awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Meda; and the 2020 Company Grade Officer of the Year at Air University
Media Attachments
Maj. Gemma Fiduk, incoming commander of the 105th Civil Engineer Squadron, addresses Airmen from the 105th CES and 105th Airlift Wing for the first time as commander during a change of command ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, June 7, 2026. Fiduk assumed command of the squadron from Lt. Col. Benjamin Thomas, outgoing commander of the 105th CES. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Anthony Wilson)
New York National Guard
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