Brig. Gen. Denise Donnell on Saturday became the first female officer appointed to command the 5,900-member New York Air National Guard, Gov. Kathy Hochul�s office said.

Donnell, of Clifton Park, took over the aerial militia arm of the New York National Guard from Maj. Gen. Timothy LaBarge during a change of command ceremony at National Guard headquarters.

LaBarge, a Tupper Lake resident who led the Air National Guard since 2018, retired.

�This is a proud day in New York to recognize the achievements and leadership skills of a woman who has risen through the ranks to serve as a model of selflessness for all New Yorkers,� Hochul said.

Donnell, who served in the Navy from 1993 to 2002, is a command pilot whose more than 4,400 hours of flying time include 280 hours in combat.

Donnell graduated from Georgetown University. She also is a graduate of the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base and the National Defense University.

She called her new role �a tremendous honor.�

(AP)