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FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010

Wheatfield, NY Resident Named Top Enlisted Airman for New York Air National Guard

Chief Master Sgt. Richard King Assumes New Role In February

LATHAM, NY (12/21/2010)-- A retired Niagara Falls, NY Police Officer and Wheatfield, NY resident has been picked to become the ranking enlisted leader of the 6,000-member New York Air National Guard. Chief Master Sgt. Richard King, a member of the 107th Airlift Wing, based at Niagara Falls Joint Air Reserve Station, will replace Command Chief Master Sergeant Hardy Pierce, Jr. who is slated to retire in February. King, who retired as a police officer in Oct. 2009, after 21 years on the force, is currently serving as Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 107th.. He serves as the top enlisted advisor to the wing commander, Col. Patrick Ginavan, and oversees the training and promotions of the Wing’s enlisted Airmen. King has served in the wing since 1982. He is currently employed as a member of the Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department in Buffalo. In his new position he will serve as top enlisted advisor to Major General James W. Kwiatkowski, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, and look out for the welfare of about 5,500 enlisted men and women. "I am honored that Major General Kwiatkowski and Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy have the confidence in me to be the lead advocate for our Air National Guard enlisted force," King said. "It is an honor to be allowed to represent the great Airmen of the New York Air National Guard," he said. "I have some large shoes to fill in succeeding Command Chief Master Sgt. Hardy Pierce." "As soon as I can my goal is to get out to the units and visit with as many of our New York Airmen as I can," King said "I have always been the type of leader that needs to be out in the field as much as possible, being visible and ensuring our Airmen know that whatever their duty or mission is, and whether they think it is relevant or not, that leadership recognizes their part," he added. The New York Air National Guard consists of five air wings and the Eastern Air Defense Sector-a unit responsible for monitoring American airspace east of the Mississippi-operating a five bases running from Long Island to Niagara Falls. New York Air National Guard Airmen also fly missions to the South Pole, controlled remotely piloted aircraft flying over Afghanistan, conduct rescue missions in the Atlantic, and carry cargo around the world. King, whose wife Jessica King is a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard, was born and raised in Niagara Falls. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1978 and has served in the Air Force Security Police and Security Forces. He transferred to the Air National Guard in 1982 and served in a number of leadership positions in the 107th Security Forces Squadron, including First Sergeant and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Combat Arms Training. King’s deployments include: A year-long tour at Andrews Air Force Base as 1st Sgt of the 89th Security Forces Squadron from October 2001 to October 2002; Nine months of service as the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge at Peter J. Ganci Airbase in Manas, Kyrgyzstan; Five months of service as Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge on Diego Garcia in 2005; And six months as Group Superintendent of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq. King’s awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal, and the New York State Medal for Valor, the New York Defense of Liberty Ribbon, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

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© NYS DMNA Press Release:Wheatfield, NY Resident Named Top Enlisted Airman for New York Air National Guard
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1292963752
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Page Last Modified: Dec 21, 2010