NY Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Southold resident, Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service

FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. (03/10/2026) — New York Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a resident of , retired after 39 years of service at the 106th Rescue Wing with a ceremony in an aircraft hangar, March 7, 2026, at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

Wineberger, who joined in the 106th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 1987, served under seven presidents and underwent four uniform changes during a career that took him from turning wrenches on the flight line to the highest levels of wing leadership.

He received his commission from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, in November 1993, and completed pilot training in May 1995. A command pilot with over 4,300 flight hours, throughout his career, he flew the T-37 Tweet trainer, the UH-1H Iroquois or "Huey" utility helicopter and HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter.

Wineberger deployed 11 times in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and provided humanitarian relief during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Sandy. He accumulated 140 combat sorties and 85 combat support sorties, flying missions that contributed to more than 150 lives saved.

Col. Jeffrey D. Cannet, 106th Rescue Wing commander, reflected on Wineberger's lasting impact on the wing and on his own leadership.

"AJ has been a fantastic mentor to me personally, and to many members of this wing," Cannet said. "I don't know that there's been anybody in this wing that has spent as much time and put as much effort into making this place the amazing search and rescue outfit that it is today. Unequivocally, he has left a wake of positive change and momentum in every organization he's touched here, from the Operations Group to the Maintenance Group to the wing as a whole."

Col. Neil H. Theisen, 106th Rescue Wing deputy commander and presiding officer at the ceremony, described a career built on quiet courage and selfless leadership.

"Countless individuals will never know the name Andrew Wineberger, but who are alive today because of his humble courage, deliberate professionalism, and dedication to a lifetime of service," Theisen said.

Theisen recalled one of Wineberger's 140 combat sorties, a 2007 mission in Afghanistan to recover wounded and killed soldiers from a downed Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter. While troops were still in contact with enemy forces and the helicopter was perched on the side of a mountain, a tail rotor warning light illuminated. Wineberger oversaw a quick on-scene repair and calmly finished the evacuation before flying the aircraft back to Kandahar. While the work was underway, an Army infantry Soldier urgently told him to leave the area.

"In a quiet, steady tone that is absolutely unique to Col. Wineberger, he told the soldier to remain calm and that they would be leaving soon," Theisen said. "The mission was complete, lives were saved, no one was left behind."

Wineberger served in 14 career positions across the wing, including as commander of the 106th Operations Support Squadron, the 106th Operations Group and the 106th Maintenance Group, before serving as deputy wing commander from June 2020 to March 2026.

During his tenure as deputy commander, Wineberger facilitated the wing's simultaneous mission conversions of three aircraft mission design series and coined the phrase "concurrent and proportional" to articulate the importance of parity between active duty and Air National Guard wings during the division of resources. He also guided the Wing Innovation Program to two significant wins totaling more than $100,000 for wing improvements, and provided oversight to Exercise TAPIO in Brazil, the largest U.S. military engagement in that country since World War II.

Wineberger was nominated for the Legion of Merit, with the citation read during the ceremony, pending approval from the Director of the Air National Guard. His other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Wineberger credited the wing's Airmen and his family for his success.

"The rescue mission is arguably the most complex in the military, and every person in the wing has a crucial role and is essential to accomplishing the mission," Wineberger said. "Throughout the years, I've been confident in my abilities, but humble enough to know it's not about me. Being in the military is difficult for the members, but it is even more trying for our families. I am grateful for my wife and son, Beth and Mike. I look forward to spending my retirement with you."

Wineberger holds a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from the New York Institute of Technology. In retirement, he plans to complete his Doctor of Executive Leadership degree at the University of Charleston, West Virginia, and plans to continue giving back through volunteer service.

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft and HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopters. The wing is home to a Guardian Angel Squadron comprised of Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, SERE Specialists and Tactical Air Control Party Airmen who specialize in personnel recovery and deploy for domestic and overseas operations.

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