Chief Warrant Officer Robert Wold, a Charlton resident, ends 41-year military career

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Chief Warrant Officer Robert Wold (center), Maj. Gen. Anthony German, the Adjutant General, and Cheryl Wold during Wold’s retirement ceremony on Dec. 29, 2016

LATHAM, NY (12/30/2016)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Wold, a Charlton resident, ended his almost 41- year military career during a formal retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters here on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Wold, who entered the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic in July 1975, finished out his army career as Command Chief Warrant Officer for the New York Army National Guard.

An Army pilot with over 6,000 hours in the air flying both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, Wold took his final flight as an aviator on Dec. 21.

Wold's military service was recognized with the award of The Legion of Merit, an honor presented for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

He also received an American Flag and certificates of achievement.

Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, praised Wold as both an exceptional aviator, a skilled trainer, and a devoted family man.

"A pilot has a great career when the number of takeoffs match the number of landings," joked German, an Air Force navigator. "Bob Wold has had a great career."

After completing basic training Wold served with the 347th Transportation Company, 25th Infantry Division, and Hawaii and then served as an OH-58 and UH-1 Crew Chief with the 385th Engineers, U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

In March of 1980 he entered Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Wold graduated from Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training on January 15, 1981.

He served on active duty with the 1st Cavalry Division, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the 24th Infantry Division He joined the New York Army National Guard in 1989 and was assigned as an AH-1F Cobra Maintenance Test Pilot with D Troop, 1st Squadron 101st Cavalry in Rochester, New York.

Follow on assignments included both traditional part-time National Guard service and full-time service with Company A, 1st Battalion, 142nd Attack Helicopter Regiment, Company B and later Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion 142 Assault Helicopter Regiment, and the State Aviation Logistics Manager, Joint Forces Headquarters, New York Army National Guard.

In addition to numerous state and federal humanitarian missions, Wold deployed with Task Force Talon as part of Stabilization Force 12 in Bosnia from September 2002- March 2003. He also deployed and served as the Task Force Jester Aviation Maintenance Officer, from 2008-2009. The Task Force -- built around the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation-- provided aviation support for all of central and southern Iraq.

Wold was selected as the New York Army National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer in September 2010. In addition, he has served as the Region One Chair of the Warrant Officer Senior Advisory Council.

Wold is a graduate of the AH-1 Maintenance Test Pilot Course, the UH-60 Maintenance Test Pilot Course, the UH-60 Instructor Pilot Course, and the C-12 Qualification Course. He is also a UH-60 Maintenance Test Flight Examiner. He is a Master Army Aviator with over 6,000 flight hours in the OH-58 A/C, UH-1V, AH-1S/ F, UH-60A/L and the C-12.

His Awards and Decorations include, the Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievements Medal (5th), National Defense Service Medal (2nd), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.

He and his wife Cheryl have two daughters, Jessica Paduano (with son-in-law Michael, and grandchildren Nico and Anna) and Sarah Nolan (with son-in-law John, and grandchildren Carly and Jack).