Col. Ryan Dannemann, a New Paltz resident, assumed command of the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing during a ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Stewart Air National Guard Base, in Newburgh.
Dannemann replaced Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton, who took command of the wing in March of 2022. Charlton is now the director of operations for the Air National Guard.
Dannemann was commissioned as an Air Force officer in 2002 and has served in in the 105th Airlift Wing since then.
“For anyone who knows me well, they know this is my dream job,” Dannemann said. “And when I refer to ‘dream job’, I am not referring to wing commander. I am referring to being an Airman here at Stewart. I love the 105th.”
Major General Denise Donnell, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, presided over the ceremony, which included the transfer of the 105th Airlift Wing’s guidon from Charlton to Dannemann.
She praised Dannemann as a leader who would do a great job for the wing and its Airmen.
Charleton also praised his replacement.
“It’s your time, you’re the right person to write the next chapter in the 105th’s history,” Charleton said.
In his remarks, Dannemann also praised the Airmen of the 105th and their families.
“All of us pay a certain price and our families bear a substantial burden so that we can serve our state and nation, and remain always ready,” he said.
Dannemann has served in positions of increasing responsibility during his 21 years in the 105th Airlift Wing.
Dannemann has served as a C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III instructor pilot assigned to the 137th Airlift Squadron. He has served as the wing inspector general, and as commander of the 105th Maintenance Squadron and the 137th Airlift Squadron. He has served as the deputy commander and then commander of the 105th Operations Group.
Dannemann is a command pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time. He has flown combat missions in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian missions after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria here in the United States and in 2004 in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; the Air War College; and the National Security Management Course at Syracuse University.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.