OSWEGO, New York – Town of Oswego resident Jeff Wallace advanced his distinguished military career recently by being promoted to Senior Master Sergeant E-8 in the USAF Air National Guard at a ceremony in Albany.
Wallace, whose military career spans more than 23 years, was recently selected to a new position as Services Superintendent. Before the new position, he served as the first Command Historian for the Joint Forces Headquarters, N.Y. National Guard in Albany.
With his promotion, Wallace will work specifically as part of a three-man Crisis Action Team (CAT) who will coordinate with SEMO and FEMA in identifying all Air Force Services assets in FEMA Region 2 as part of the emergency response team for national and overseas crisis incidents. FEMA Region 2 includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“It was truly an honor to be selected for this new position,†Wallace said. “A strong military is necessary for the protection of this country and the freedoms and rights that we enjoy – and I am very proud to be a part of it.â€Â
Prior to becoming the first Command Historian, Wallace served with the 174th Fighter Wing, NYANG in Syracuse, as the unit’s Public Affairs Non-Commission Officer in Charge (NCOIC).
In August 2003, he finished a 10-month Active Duty tour with the U.S. Air Force, managing the media coverage of the 174th Fighter Wing New York Air National Guard activation in support of Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom as related to the Global War on Terror. As a result of his local, regional and national media handling, the 174th Fighter Wing was awarded the National Guard Bureau’s Excellence in Media Relations Award.
He has also been involved in the coordination of two Presidential visits, two of which were in the Central New York area.
“During the last 20 years, I have had the opportunity to work in an assortment of roles, travel, and encounter experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise had a chance to do,†Wallace said. “My career thus far has been very rewarding and I’m looking forward to my future endeavors with the USAF Air National Guard.â€Â
Wallace joined the U.S. Army Reserves on July 10, 1986 and after eight years with the Army he switched to the USAF Air National Guard for which he has served for the last 15 years. He has been the recipient of several Army and Air Force military awards, including the Keith L. Ware Award for Photojournalism in 1989, the Army Achievement Medal in 1992, and the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1996. He also received the first Addison E. Baker Special Achievement Award for significant contributions to the ANG History program in 1996, the 174th Wing Element “Airman of the Quarter†Award in April 1998, and the Air Force Achievement Medal in December 1999.
While managing the 174th History Office, Wallace helped the unit win the Beckwith Havens Award from the National Guard Bureau for The Best ANG History Report for 1999. Wallace currently is a business and strategic giving consultant for Step One Creative, where he works with various Central New York business and community leaders on topics ranging from public relations, media planning and coordinated advertising to strategic branding and market positioning.
Prior to a 10-month military activation in support of the War in Iraq, Wallace served as City Manager/Deputy Personnel Director for the City of Oswego.
He is a board member with the H. Lee White Marine Museum, The Oswego Ladies Home as well as a member of the Harborfest Sponsorship and Children’s Committee. He also serves as a Little League coach and Cub Scout Den leader.
Wallace resides in the Town of Oswego with his wife, Marian, and three of their four children, Richard, Lauren, and Joseph. Their oldest daughter Kellye is married to Anthony Buckalew and have two children, Nya and Dominick.
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