Rexford resident and Air Force Officer Michelle Estes promoted to Colonel
Latham, NY (10/05/2018) — Rexford resident Michelle Estes, was promoted to colonel in the Air Force during a ceremony held at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on October 1st, 2018.
Estes is assigned to the New York National Guard as its Inspector General.
Her job is to provide the Adjutant General with advice on matters concerning the well-being and readiness of Army and Air National Guard members, civilian employees and family members.
Estes received her ROTC commission into the Air Force in 1997 and is a graduate of Southwest Texas University.
Estes has served in numerous positions at squadron, group and major command levels. She has deployed a total of six times to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
She has a great deal of maintenance experience on numerous aircrafts and prior to her current assignment Estes was the Deputy Commander of the 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Group at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.
Estes military education include; Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.
Her awards and decorations include; Bronze Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal , Iraqi Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon , Air Force Training Ribbon , and the NATO Medal
Estes holds a Bachelor's Degree from Southwest Texas State University in Geography and a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Her spouse Laurie Conrad is a retired Lt. Col. in the Air Force, and they live with their pet dog Luke.
Media Attachments
Col. Michelle Estes the Inspector General of the New York National Guard, speaks at her promotion ceremony at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, N.Y., October 1, 2018.
Air Force Col. Michelle Estes, the Inspector General of the New York National Guard, gets pinned by her spouse Laurie and her family at her promotion ceremony at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, N.Y., October 1, 2018.