Smithtown, resident Salvatore Garcia promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard
Latham, NY (04/24/2026) — Salvatore Garcia, a Smithtown resident, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a March 13, 2026, ceremony at the New York Army Aviation Support Facility in Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Garcia, who joined the New York Army National Guard as a cadet in 2008, serves as the operations officer for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, which is based in Glenville.
Col. Paul Baillie, the commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, praised Garcia for his service and dedication.
Garcia supported the New York National Guard response to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017 after the twin storms hit the Caribbean islands and Puerto Rico. He deployed to the Middle East in 2022 and 2023 in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Most recently, he was part of the New York National Guard response to the corrections officers' strike in 2025.
In his remarks, Garcia said that "for every successful officer or senior non-commissioned officer, it was the efforts and struggles of many that mold and develop them to obtain that success."
Garcia received his commission in 2009 from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at St. John's University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree.
He is a graduate of the Aviation Officer Basic Course, Army Basic Airborne Course, Army Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion school, the Army's High Altitude Army Training Site course, Aviation Captain Career Course, the Joint Firepower/Controller Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the Advanced Operators Course.
Garcia is rated in the UH-60 A/L and UH-60M and has flown for over 1800 hours as a Pilot in Command and an Air Mission Commander for the New York Army National Guard.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Garcia is married to the former Valerie Sandora and has three children, Brandon, Aubrey, and Paige. In his civilian life, Garcia is a police officer and pilot with the Suffolk County Police Department.
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Salvatore Garcia, a Smithtown resident, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a March 13, 2026, ceremony at the New York Army Aviation Support Facility in Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
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