ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced his selection of Maj. Gen. Anthony German as the 53rd adjutant general of the New York National Guard.
German is an Oneonta, New York, resident who currently commands the New York Air National Guard and also serves as assistant adjutant general.
German will replace Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, who has served as adjutant general since 2010, and is leaving the position to serve as director of strategy, plans, policy and international affairs for the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.
"Gen. Anthony German has a distinguished record as a National Guard leader dedicated to serving our nation and state," Cuomo said. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in military affairs and in his new role will continue his commitment to strengthening the readiness of our military."
"I would like to thank General Patrick Murphy for his many contributions to the New York National Guard," Cuomo continued. "Gen. Murphy has done an exceptional job as adjutant general. He embodies the service and leadership that the National Guard stands for and I wish him the best as he begins an important new challenge."
"I'm honored to be selected by Gov. Cuomo to lead the men and women who serve in our New York National Guard," German said. The current adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, has been an outstanding leader and mentor for our Soldiers and Airmen and I look forward to taking on this new responsibility.
"In the past decade, the men and women of the New York Army and Air National Guard have been in combat in Afghanistan, responded to natural disasters here at home, and served around the world, and they have done it all well. I am humbled that the governor has trusted me to lead them," he added.
German was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1983 as an aircraft navigator and joined the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing in 1989. The 109th Airlift Wing, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, flies the LC-130 aircraft, the only ski-equipped aircraft in the U.S. military. The wing provides support to the National Science Foundation's research efforts in Antarctica and Greenland.
German commanded the wing from 2006 to 2010. He served as chief of staff of the New York Air National Guard from 2010 to 2015 and played a key role in coordinating New York Air Guard participation in the New York National Guard response to Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
German has also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs as the Department of Defense Liaison Officer to the National Science Foundation. He recently completed a 30-day assignment as acting director of the Air National Guard.
German is a master navigator with over 4,900 flying hours and in the C-130 Hercules and other aircraft.
As adjutant general, German will be responsible for the readiness and training of the 10,300 members of the New York Army National Guard, and the 5,600 members of the New York Air National Guard.
The adjutant general is also responsible for the New York Naval Militia, a force of 2,900 personnel, the bulk of whom are currently serving members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve who also volunteer to serve on state duty during emergencies.
Another 600 people serve as volunteers in the New York Guard, a state force that assists the National Guard during emergencies.
German holds a degree from SUNY Oneonta and is a graduate of the United States Naval War College and the Senior Reserve Component Officer Course, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Among his awards are the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Antarctica Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
German lives in Oneonta with his wife Diana. They have four children, Josh, Ben, Zach and Bekah.
His son, Capt. Joshua German, is a pilot in the New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing, and his son Ben German is a staff sergeant and public affairs non-commissioned officer for the 109th Airlift Wing.
German will assume his new duties in April.