Stewart ANG May Host New Air Force Squadron

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, has announced Stewart Air National Guard Base is one of seven bases being considered to host a new Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

Gillibrand is leading the push for Stewart ANG to receive this squadron, and following her phone call with Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, the Air Force has selected Stewart ANG as one of the finalists nationwide for the Air Force’s aeromedical evacuation mission. If approved, Stewart ANG would provide lifesaving in-flight patient care in response to contingencies and humanitarian emergencies.

“The 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air Guard Nation Base has time and again proven to be an invaluable asset to our country’s national defense. With the Air National Guard looking to add an Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron to its ranks, Stewart ANG is the obvious choice,” said Senator Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee.

“When I met with the 105th Airlift Wing in October, it was clear that they have the capabilities and resources to successfully complete this new mission – not to mention that their location at Newburgh and the Eastern Seaboard serves as a critical site for a new aeromedical evacuation squadron. Placing this new mission at Stewart will greatly increase the military’s ability to respond to medical emergencies, as well as support job creation and economic growth in the Hudson Valley. I was proud to fight to make sure that Stewart would be considered for this designation, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of the 105th Airlift Wing which would be the best selection for this mission.”

“We are pleased to learn that the 105th Airlift Wing has made it to the next round of candidates under consideration for a new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron mission,” said Colonel Marc Kelly, Commander of the 105th Maintenance Group. “As the only C-17 unit selected, we are the only to offer unique strategic airlift capabilities coupled with an experienced aircrew that has successfully operated Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron missions for over seven years. We are hopeful that Stewart will become home to one of the finest Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons in the near future.”

As one of only two National Guard bases on the Eastern Seaboard that provides trans-Atlantic flights to service members abroad, Stewart provides essential services for U.S. armed forces, especially in the responsive delivery of both heavy and light forces and cargo to meet rapid deployment. Gillibrand visited Stewart Air National Guard in October, where she discussed the possibility of adding the aeromedical evacuation squadron to the 105th Airlift Wing’s mission with base officials. Following her visit, she called Secretary Barrett to ensure that Stewart would be placed under consideration for the new squadron.