Port Jefferson resident takes command of 106th Rescue Wing's communications squadron

New York Air National Guard Major Shaun Denton will lead the unit.

Latham, NY (06/11/2025) — FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. - New York Air National Guard Maj. Shaun Denton, a Port Jefferson Station resident, took command of the 106th Communication Squadron of the 106th Rescue Wing during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base on June 6.

Denton assumued command from Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, who will remain at the 106th Rescue Wing and continue to serve as Deputy Commander of the 106th Mission Support Group.

"Welcome back to Major Denton," said Colonel Glyn Weir, the 106th Mission Support Group Commander.

"Shaun is coming to the 106th from the 301st Communications Squadron in the Air Force Reserves in Fort Worth, Texas, but he served in a variety of leadership roles around the 106th over the years."

Denton began his military career in 2003, enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving on active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as a chemical defense specialist.

In 2006 he transferred to the New York Air National Guard and served as a firefighter assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing.

After a 2009 deployment to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, Denton was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Denton then served as an officer at the 106th Rescue Wing until 2018, during which time he held several leadership positions and was the primary advisor to the wing commander for the initiation, development, and execution of all environmental activities and compliance.

"Communications Squadron and all of us will be challenged to evolve with a rapidly changing Air Force," said Weir. "I have every confidence that you will bring Comm Squadron to the next level and be a leader in this wing as we attack this next phase together."

In his remarks Denton vowed to continue to make the communications squadron better.

"Together, we'll build on the strong foundation already in place," Denton added. "Looking ahead, this unit stands at the forefront of a rapidly evolving battlespace where offensive cyber capabilities, cyber-resilient systems, and Al-driven automation converge to ensure mission success."

"Our work doesn't just defend networks, it deters threats and secures our strategic edge," Denton said."I fully understand the responsibility that comes with this role," Denton added.

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis 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 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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