Major
General Archie J. Berberian II is the Chief of Staff for the New York Air National Guard.
He is the first line of command for the New York Air Forces located at six major air
bases. Directly responsible for ensuring all units comply with AF, NGB, and MAJCOM
directives while ensuring units maintain the highest level of combat readiness.
He graduated from Pilgrim High School in Warwick, R.I. in 1965 and received Associates of Science degree from Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. and a Masters in Business Administration from Troy State University in Alabama. His military education consists of USAF Flight Safety School, Personnel Management School, Combat Aircrew Training, Airlift Operations School, USAF Land and Sea Survival, "Kool School" Arctic Survival Training, Squadron Officer's School, Air Command and Staff College, USMC Command and Staff College, and Air War College in residence. His academic career also featured a period when he served as a Research Fellow to the Air Force Center for Aerospace Doctrine Research and Education, where he authored a comprehensive study on the return of strategic airlift to the National Guard.
General Berberian began his military career upon enlistment in the Rhode Island Air National Guard on August 23, 1966, while a student at Bryant College. After completing basic and technical training, he served admirably. He received his commission on August 28, 1972, through direct appointment and attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, Calif. While at RIANG, he became combat ready in the C-119 and C-130, accumulating more than 4,500 hours flying time. Additionally, he distinguished himself in a series of high-level staff appointments including: Comptroller, Assistant Director of State Personnel, Navigator Resource Manager, and Flight Management Officer.
1971 Associates of Science, Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I.
1974 Squadron Officer School
1975 Air Command and Staff College
1985 USMC Command and Staff College
1986 Bachelors of Science, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.
1988 Masters in Business Administration, Troy State University, Ala.
1988 Air War College
1. August 1966 - August 1972, Airman through TSgt, 143 Support Operations Group, Rhode
Island Air National Guard
2. August 1972 - June 1973, Navigator Trainee, 323 Fighter Tactical Wing, Mather Air Force
Base, Calif.
3. June 1973 - December 1975, Navigator Special Operations, 143 Tactical Airlift Squadron,
Rhode Island Air National Guard
4. December 1975 - November 1976, Navigator Airlift C-130, 143 Tactical Airlift Squadron,
Rhode Island Air National Guard
5. November 1976 - November 1983, Standard Evaluator/ Flight Examiner/ Navigator, 143
Tactical Airlift Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard
6. November 1983 - July 1987, ANG Advisor, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott
Air Force Base, Ill.
7. July 1987 - June 1988, Air Operations Officer/ Navigator C-130, 143 Tactical Airlift
Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard
8. June 1988 - February 1990, Chief, Air Operations Branch, Air National Guard Readiness
Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
9. February 1990 - June 1991, Chief, Airlift Tanker Force Branch, National Guard Bureau,
Washington D.C.
10. June 1991- October 1995, Commander, 109 Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard,
Scotia, N.Y.
11. October 1995 - Present, Chief of Staff, Headquarters New York Air National
Guard -
Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Latham, N.Y.
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: 5,463 hours
Aircraft flown: T-29, C-119, U-10D, and six models of the C-130
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Award with one device
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Antarctica Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
NY Military Commendation Medal
NY Conspicuous Service Cross
NY Recruiting Medal
NY Aid to Civil Authority Medal
RI Service Medal
RI Emergency Service Ribbon
US Antarctic Program Executive Committee
Board of Directors, Empire State Aeroscience Museum
Albany Capitol District Boy Scouts of America Council Committee Chairperson
Second Lieutenant Aug 28, 1972
First Lieutenant Sep 16, 1974
Captain Nov 18, 1976
Major Nov 5, 1981
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 9, 1985
Colonel Jun 28, 1991
Brigadier General Sep 25, 1996
Major General Jun 30, 1999
(Current as of January 2000)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.