GASPORT MAN RETIRING AS HEAD OF AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT

WKBW is reporting the following today...

Colonel Jim McCready will take command of the 107th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard in January, Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, announced today.

McCready, a combat veteran and East Aurora resident, is currently serving as the wing's vice commander, responsible for equipping and training the wing's 900 Airmen. He will replace Col. Patrick Ginavan, who will be retiring after 34 years of service in the Air Force and Air National Guard as both an enlisted Airman and an officer.

Ginavan, who began his service as an aircraft mechanic in 1976, has served as the commander of the 107th since 2005. He and his wife Jill live in Gasport. His sons Sam and Charlie are members of the 107th as is his daughter-in-law, Stasha.

A pilot with more than 3,300 hours of flying time, Ginavan was first assigned to the 107th as an instructor pilot in 1986 when the wing flew F-4 fighters. He then transitioned to F-16s and then the KC-135R tanker as the wing's aircraft changed. He was commissioned in 1983 after seven years of enlisted service.

He's pleased that McCready has been chosen to replace him and he knows he will do an excellent job, Ginavan said.

"I wish the best of luck to the 107th," he said. "I am very proud to have served this unit since 1986 and been a part of it and all the things we have been through."

Ginavan's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal , Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon .

A change of commander ceremony, in which the 107th Airlift Wing colors will be ceremonially transferred from Ginavan to McCready, signifying the change in command, will be scheduled in January.

Read the article --which speaks at length of McCready's background -- online at:

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/East-Aurora-Resident-Will-Command-Air-National-Guard-Unit--111517644.html