LaBarge, left, and Wagner
TOWN OF NEWBURGH – The 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National
Guard base has a new commander. Col. Howard Wagner, until now the deputy
base commander, has taken over for Brig. Gen. Timothy LaBarge, who after
four years will become chief of staff for the New York Air National Guard..
A change of command ceremony was held at Stewart on Sunday.
LaBarge said the day was “bitter-sweet” for him as he moves
on with the greater responsibility. “There is no doubt
that part of my soul will forever reside at the 105th Airlift Wing.”
LaBarge credited the successes of the 105th Airlift Wing during his tenure to the complete conversion from C-5A to the newer C-17 cargo transport aircraft, the C-17 weapons trainer, the C-17 tank modifications that 50 percent of the National Guard will have, the ownership of the C-5M refurbishment enterprise that will be complete in 2019 and the premiere Commanders Inspection Program and IG Team which, according to LaBarge, is the best in the U.S. Air Force.
Col. Wagner said he is honored to lead the 105th and his goal will be to continue to build on the accomplishments during LaBarge’s command.
“We are a guard unit and I believe there are two hallmarks for a guard unit: we are great at what we do and we take care of each other as good wingman,” Wagner said. “In short, we will continue on the path we’re already on, from good to great. That means we’ll work hard to be the best at what we do, and when we get there we work hard to stay there because life is not stagnant.”
Col. Wagner is a decorated Air Force pilot, logging approximately 4,000 flight hours, flying 26 combat missions in an RF-4C aircraft during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, holding the rank of Wing vice commander since 2014, serving as acting director of staff for the New York National Guard for three months and has received numerous medals for his service.
