• Skip to Content

New York National Guard

  • Sign in to your Merit page
« Back to Recent News

NY State Employees recognized by 174th Attack Wing Commander for excellence

Three Division of Military and Naval Affairs employees spearheaded upgrade of heating facilities at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base

Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse,, NY (03/01/2018) — Three New York State Department of Military and Naval Affairs employees have been recognized by Col. Michael Smith, the commander of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing for their outstanding work in replacing outdated boilers with new fuel efficient equipment.

Employees Tom Masterson, Jason Jansen, and Tony Napolitano installed a total of five boilers in three different buildings at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.

The old boilers were beyond their service lives of 20 years and technology. The civilian employees selected purchased, and installed the new equipment.

The Division of Military and Naval Affairs is the state agency which is responsible for the New York National Guard. State civilian employees of the agency work at National Guard facilities across the state.

On January 31st, Col Michael Smith presented the employees with the wing commander's challenge coin.

The military traditionally presents coins to service members and civilian employees to recognize outstanding work.

"Challenge coins are reserved for superior performers in the performance of their assigned duties and tasks. These individuals have performed above and beyond the call of duty to ensure mission objectives are being met, student production is maintained, and ensuring the effectiveness of daily operations," Smith said.

The boilers the three men replaced were beyond their service life of 20 years and were less than 80 percent efficient. The team designed and installed these new systems and saved over $75,000 by doing it themseleves. These extremely efficient, boilers will pay for themselves and the labor, within 7.1 years.

Tom Masterson, has been a plant utilities engineer at Hancock Field for over 10 years. He and Jason Jansen operate, maintain, and repair, heating and air-conditioning systems and equipment for the entire wing.

This includes energy conservation to identify, recommend, and develop conservation projects which reduce carbon emissions, reduce energy consumption and be economically cost effective. They ensure all equipment is repaired, installed, and will verify all proper health and safety requirements are being met and implemented.

Tony Napolitano is employed as the Liquid Fuels Maintenance Technician, and has served in this position for over a year. He monitiors systems maintenance of gasoline/diesel/jet fuel bulk storage tanks for remotely piloted aircraft and vehicle fleets.

In addition to plumbing and steam fitting, he oversees the maintenance of mechanical trades such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration units.

Media Attachments

Col. Michael Smith, the commander of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing,recognizes three state employees at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York on Jan. 31, 2018. They are ( from left) Tom Masterson, Jason Jansen, and Tony Napolitano. The three men designed and installed five boilers saving the taxpayer over seventy thousand dollars labor and expenses. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Lillique Ford)


MS
Michael
S.

New York National Guard

Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581

Share this Story

  • Print
  • Email

Recent News

  • Two Airman assigned to NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing brave cold during Minnesota training course
  • Clifton Park Airman is named New York Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
  • NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing moves 1,086 passengers and millions of pounds of supplies across Antarctica during 2025-26 mission season
  • NY National Guard's "Fighting 69th" Infantry leads New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade for the 175th Time
  • NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor
  • NY Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Southold resident, Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service
  • Officer assigned to Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division dies of undetermined causes in a non-combat incident while serving in Kuwait
  • NY National Guard announces the death of Major Sorffly Davius of non-combat causes while serving in Kuwait
  • NY Army Guard officer Sean Flynn, a Delmar resident, plays key role in NATO Joint Force Command headquarters
  • New York State Military Museum director retires after 22 years of service
… View all recent news
Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out