NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor
Veteran Airman is named First Sergeant of the Year for 2026
Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. (03/10/2026) — New York Air National Guard Senior Master Sergeant John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident and Bronx native, and a member of the to the 106th Rescue Wing , has been selected as the New York Air National Guard's First Sergeant of the Year for 2026.
McGhee currently serves as the wing first sergeant for the 106 RQW, at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York.
As first sergeant, McGhee is responsible for advising the commander on readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life of Airmen and families to ensure a mission-ready force.
McGhee enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 and transitioned to the Air National Guard in 2010, where he served as a water and fuels systems maintenance specialist with the 106th Civil Engineer Squadron. In 2020, he was selected as first sergeant for the 103rd Rescue Squadron while also serving the 106th Operations Group. McGhee was selected as the wing first sergeant for the 106 RQW in 2022.
"Being named First Sergeant of the Year validated that the mission came first for me." said McGhee. "My goal was to make sure our Airmen were truly taken care of and our leadership standards were upheld."
McGhee was selected over candidates from all five Air National Guard wings across the state.
"I didn't earn this alone," said McGhee. "I earned it with my team of first sergeants."
McGhee's award represents the third consecutive year that the New York State First Sergeant of the Year was selected from the 106th Rescue Wing.
"Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee's selection as New York State First Sergeant of the Year is a testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the Airmen of the 106th Rescue Wing," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg, senior enlisted leader of the 106th. "We are extremely proud of him and wish him the best of luck competing at the regional level next."
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.
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U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a first sergeant assigned to the New York Air National Guard, 106th Rescue Wing, poses for an official photo at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York, Jan. 08, 2026. Senior Master Sgt. McGhee has been selected as the New York State First Sergeant of the Year for 2026.