NY Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. John Bellissimo, a Rocky Point resident, retires after 34 years of service

Westhampton Beach, N.Y. (02/07/2019) — New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. John F. Bellissimo, a Rocky Point resident, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base on Feb. 2, 2019.

Bellissimo, who served as the cyber operations superintendent of the 106th Rescue Wing, was recognized for outstanding service during his 34 years of military service.

Bellissimo joined the New York Air National Guard in 1980 and has served in a variety of positions with the 106th Rescue Wing.

He has worked as a communications and navigation systems specialist in the aircraft maintenance squadron, and as a communications systems program management specialist. He played a key role in updating the systems the wing used to monitor deployments and missions in the latter role.

His work helped the wing manage two major deployments in 1996 and 1998 with few difficulties.

He also served as the wing civil engineer facilities manager, responsible for the buildings at Gabreski Air National Guard Base. While working in that position he oversaw projects valued at $16 million.

Since 2009 he has been the cyber operations superintendent, responsible for maintaining the base computer system which serves over 1,000 Airmen and civilian personnel.

Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York City, Bellissimo played a key role in the New York National Guard's response. He was responsible for lodging military members on Governor's Island and also for managing communications for Guard members working from the Fifth Avenue Armory in Harlem.

Bellissimo and his wife Barbara have three children; John, Michael, and Christina.

The couple plan to move to Mooresville, North Carolina where Barbara Bellissimo grew up.

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