MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS NEWS RELEASE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: COL John Dwyer, Public Affairs Officer  101 EGGERT CROSSING ROAD LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ 08648 609-530-6939
RELEASE: IMMEDIATE (6 June 00)

On Saturday, June 10, 2000, there will be a change of command ceremony for the New Jersey Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeant. Command Chief Master Sgt. Charles Adamson will step down from the position and hand over the duties to Command Chief Master Sgt. John Mastrogiovanni. The ceremony will take place at the 108^th Air Refueling Wing hanger, building 33-33, McGuire Air Force Base, at 10 a.m. The press is invited to attend this event.

Adamson joined the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1962, after spending four years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He served as a missile technician with the 108^th Tactical Fighter Wing when first joined the N.J. Air National Guard. Over the years, Adamson was promoted to a variety of positions, supervising the fuel shop, maintenance control and the flight line. When the unit converted to a refueling unit with the KC-135 Stratotanker, he was assigned as the supervisor of the 150^th Aircraft Generation Squadron, a position he held until his retirement from the federal technician service in February 1995.

Still a member of the 108^th Air Refueling Wing, Adamson worked as a team leader preparing the wing for a critical inspection. The unit received an outstanding rating, the first time an Air National Guard unit received that rating. He was named state Command Chief Master Sgt. in November 1996, the position from which he will be retiring.

Adamson received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the College of New Jersey. He is a past Little League coach, past coordinator of Senior Boy's Basketball of Berkley Township and has worked with the N.J. Special Olympics and Veterans Standdown. Adamson is a member of the Lacy Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, American Legion Post 1000 and the Air Force Association. He is currently a member of the Berkley Subsistence Board. Adamson and his wife, Linda, have four children and two grandchildren.

Mastrogiovanni was born in Jersey City, N.J. and joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation from Plainfield High School, Plainfield, N.J. Among his assignments during his four years on active duty was a 15-month assignment to Thailand.

After three and one half years working in the civilian force, Mastrogiovanni attended an open house at McGuire Air Force Base and discovered the N.J. Air National Guard. Starting as a crew chief, Mastrogiovanni advanced up the ranks to become a shop chief and chief of several branches. He also performed additional duties as the Maintenance Squadron Mobility Non-commissioned Officer in Charge, Senior Enlisted Advisor and Training Team Cadre member during his tenure with the 108^th ARW. He retired from his federal technician position in April 2000.

He is a member of the National Guard Enlisted Association, the Air force Association, the Air Force Sergeant's Association, the American Legion and VFW Post 7363. Currently residing in Lanoka Harbor, N.J., Mastrogiovanni and his wife, Linda, have one daughter, two sons and one grandson. Their son, Mark, is a staff sergeant in the 108^th ARW.

To pay tribute to Adamson and welcome Mastrogiovanni to his new role, all of the chiefs from the 108th Air Refueling Wing and 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., will be in formation along with Commanders, New Jersey Air Guard members, special guests, family and friends.