LATHAM – The commander of the New York Air National Guard’s105th Airlift Wing at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in the Town of Newburgh has been promoted to brigadier general.
The ceremony for Denise Donnell was held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on Wednesday, January 6.
Donnell has commanded the wing since 2017 and will continue as the wing commander. The base is also home to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49.
Maj. Gen. Timothy LaBarge, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, said the Donnell was promoted to the general officers rank because of her leadership skills and drive.
“Denise has demonstrated her capabilities time and time and time again and she has never disappointed,” said LaBarge, who himself served as Stewart base commander.
Donnell, who has more than 4,000 of flying hours in aircraft ranging from the giant C-5 Galaxy transport to the Navy’s P3 Orion patrol plane, started her career in the Navy and has served in the New York Air National Guard since 2002.
Her husband Greg Szczesny, and son Max Szczesny pinned her new one star rank on her uniform during the ceremony. Her daughter Alison presented her with a new officer cap with one star.
The 105th Airlift Wing has more than 1,300 military personnel with a payroll of over $78 million.
In 2016 she was reassigned to the 105th Airlift Wing as wing vice commander.
