Rotterdam resident Jeffrey Baker promoted to Colonel in New York Army National Guard

Latham, NY (08/08/2019) — Rotterdam resident Jeffrey Baker has been promoted to the rank of Colonel in the New York Army National Guard.

Baker, a veteran of the Iraq War and deployments to Bosnia, Iceland, Nicaragua, and Honduras, is a helicopter pilot with over 2000 flight hours. He has flown 200 hours in combat environments.

Baker is rated to fly the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, the OH-58 scout helicopter and the UH-1 "Huey".

He is a pharmacist at the Price Chopper in Amsterdam, and currently serves as the deputy State Aviation Officer for the New York Army National Guard.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised Baker for his leadership during an August 7 promotion ceremony.

There are only 29 colonel's positions in the New York Army National Guard out of more than 10,000 Soldiers, Shields pointed out, and making that rank is exceptional.

"This is a huge deal for any officer," he said. "Jeff has done a magnificent job for us."

In his remarks, Baker praised the officers, non-commissioned officers, and warrant officers he has worked with over the years for their support and the lessons they have taught him.

Baker joined the New York Army National Guard in 1990 after graduating from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

He was initially trained as an ordnance officer and served as a logistics officer for the 1st Battalion 142nd Attack Helicopter Battalion.

Baker was selected for pilot training and graduated from flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1995.

He has served in a number of aviation positions to include platoon leader, company commander, logistics officer, operations officer, executive officer and finally the commander of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation which has elements in Ronkonkoma and Latham. He also served in staff positions in the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

In 2002 Baker deployed to Bosnia in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization peacekeeping mission there. He served as the flight detachment commander for the aviators support the stabilization force commander.

He deployed to Iraq in 2008 and 2009 with the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation serving as a staff officer and pilot-in-command.

Along with flying in support of many training missions, Baker has flown missions in support of emergency response to Hurricane Katrina, Tropical Storm Irene, the 1998 North Country Ice Storm, and Superstorm Sandy.

Along with his degree from Embry Riddle University, Baker graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1999.

Baker's awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.

Baker has two adult children, Noah and Gabrielle, who are both attending the University at Buffalo.

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