NEWBURGH, N.Y.— Major General Michael Bank of the New York Air National Guard was officially promoted to his two-star rank on Tuesday during a ceremony aboard a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.
Bank, a resident of Darien Center in Genesee County, brings 36 years of service to his new role, commanding the largest state Air National Guard in the United States. This includes five air wings and one of two air defense sectors in the Air Force.
He began his military career through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Florida State University, earning his commission in the Air Force. After joining the Active Air Force in 1988, Bank served as a B-52 bomber navigator until 1994, when he transferred to the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Refueling Wing in Niagara Falls.
In 1999, Bank became qualified as a pilot and held various positions within the 107th, including wing vice commander, as it transitioned to an airlift wing.
Mike is a great leader with decades of experience and knowledge, said Major General Ray Shields. Bank is following in the footsteps of other great commanders who have made the New York Air National Guard the best in the nation.
During the promotion ceremony, Bank expressed gratitude to his family, including his wife Kim and their two adult children, Kylynn and Kristian, for their unwavering support. He also acknowledged the Airmen and officers of the Air National Guard with whom he has worked over the years.
Most recently, Bank served as the assistant adjunct general for the New York Air National Guard since 2020. He also held the position of Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
Bank has an impressive flying record, accumulating 1,800 hours of flying service as a senior navigator and over 5,000 hours as a command pilot in various aircraft, including the B-52H, KC-135R, C-130H, and HC-130J.