Lt Col. James Vendetti is the Maintenance Group Commander for the 109th Airlift Wing, Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, New York. In this position, he leads nearly 300 Airmen, responsible for training and maintaining a mixed fleet, comprised of Department of Defense C & LC-130’s, the world’s only Ski-Equipped heavy lift aircraft, tasked with executing worldwide combat and polar airlift operations.
Lt Col Vendetti graduated from Mohonasen High School, Rotterdam, NY in 1992, and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Nyack College, Nyack, New York in 2006. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force in 2008 through the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science (AMS). He has more than twenty-one years of Communications and Information Technology experience, and nine years of Logistics experience having served in a variety of assignments in both the enlisted and officer ranks. Prior to his command tours, Lt Col Vendetti served as the 109th AW Polar Plans and Programs Chief. In this capacity, he was responsible for the planning and execution of the 109th AW’s portion of Operation DEEP FREEZE (ODF). Lt Col Vendetti’s prior assignments also include Battle Captain in the Joint Operations Center at Joint Forces Headquarters - New York, the Communications Squadron Commander, and Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, both at the 109th Airlift Wing.
EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, Nyack College, Nyack, NY.
2008 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN.
2014 Logistics Readiness Officer Course, Lackland AFB, TX.
2016 Squadron Officer School (Correspondence)
2021 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence)
2021 Masters of Military Arts and Sciences in Joint Warfare
2023 Air War College (Correspondence)
2023 Arctic Regional Security Orientation Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1997 – July 1999, Plans and Programs Apprentice, 109th Communications Flight, Stratton ANGB, NY.
2. July 1999 – April 2001, Communications – Computer Systems Specialist, 109th Communications Flight, Stratton ANGB, NY.
3. April 2001 – March 2004, Communications – Computer Systems Journeyman, 109th Communications Flight, Stratton ANGB, NY.
4.March 2004 – October 2006, Communications – Computer Systems Craftsman, 109th Communications Flight, StrattonANGB, NY.
5.October 2006 – February 2008, Communications – Computer Systems Superintendent, 109th Communications Flight,Stratton ANGB, NY.
6.February 2008 – April 2010, Communications and Information Systems Officer, Joint Force Headquarters – NY.
7.April 2010 – January 2013, Joint Operations Center Battle Captain, Joint Force Headquarters – NY.
8.January 2013 – June 2016, Polar Plans and Programs Chief, 109th Airlift Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron,Stratton ANGB, NY.
9.August 2016-September 2019, Commander, 109th Communications Flight, Stratton Air National Guard Base, NY.
10.July 2022 – January 2023, Director of Operations, 443 Air Expeditionary Squadron, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
11.September 2019-August 2023, Commander, 109th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Stratton Air National Guard Base,NY.
12.August 2023 – Present, Commander, 109th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Stratton Air National Guard Base, NY.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (one “C” device)
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with one device)
Antarctica Service Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 2008
First Lieutenant February 2010
Captain February 2012
Major February 2017
Lieutenant Colonel March 2021
(Current as of February 2024)