Photo Caption: Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (left), The Adjutant General of New Jersey, passes the colors of the New Jersey Air National Guard to Brig. Gen. Eugene Chojnacki (right), the new commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, 177FW/PA)

      In a ceremony attended by approximately 1,500 dignitaries, family members, guests and Guardsmen from the 177th Fighter Wing and the 108th Air Refueling Wing Brig. Gen. Eugene Chojnacki assumed command of the New Jersey Air National Guard from Maj. Gen. Clark W. Martin Apr. 17.

      Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General of New Jersey, announced effective Apr. 17, that Brig. Gen. Chojnacki will command the more than 2,400 members of the New Jersey Air National Guards' 177th Fighter Wing located at Egg Harbor Township and 108th Air Refueling Wing located at McGuire Air Force Base.

      The general is a decorated Vietnam Veteran, where he served as a special operations pilot.   As a long-time member of the 177th, Brig. Gen. Chojnacki has held numerous positions to include the Vice Commander of the Wing.   In August 2002, he was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters - New Jersey, Fort Dix, N.J., as the Assistant to the Adjutant General.

      In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Chojnacki spoke about the new roles facing the New Jersey Air National Guard.   "We have seen the Air National Guard move from it's cold war posture... into being an integral and utilized part of our nation's military capability in day-to-day operations, in our war against terror and in the protection of the homeland.   It is the hard work, the dedication, and the patriotism of each individual Guardsman that has made our past so successful - and our future so bright."

      As Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, Gen. Chojnacki will be promoted to the rank of Major General pending federal recognition.

      Brig. Gen. Eugene Chojnacki and his family reside in Cape May County, New Jersey.