Photo caption: Ocean View resident Brig. Gen. Eugene R. Chojnacki (second from right) has his major general insignia pinned on by his children (l-r) Casey, Bryan and Darin during a promotion ceremony held at the Joint Force Headquarters – New Jersey building at Fort Dix.  Maj. Gen. Chojnacki is the Commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard based at Fort Dix.

     General Chojnacki's Air Force career began in March 28, 1968 when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.  General Chojnacki attended Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1969, followed by training in the C-141A.  He was assigned to the 20th Military Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del.  In 1971, General Chojnacki attended Helicopter Transition Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Cam Rahn Bay, Republic of Vietnam, as an UH-IN helicopter pilot.  During his combat tour, he flew 120 missions over Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.  From 1972 until his discharge in 1973, General Chojnacki served as a TH-IF helicopter instructor pilot at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.  General Chojnacki returned to active military status and accepted a commission with the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1977 as the Executive Support Officer for the 177th Fighter Interceptor Group.  Subsequent duty assignments included Budget Officer, Computer Operations Officer, Comptroller, Chief of Supply and Deputy Commander for Resources.  From 1996 to January 2002, General Chojnacki served as the 177th Fighter Wing's Support Group Commander.  In January 2002, he was appointed as the Wing's Vice Commander.  In August 2002, General Chojnacki moved to state headquarters to serve as the Chief of Staff, New Jersey Air National Guard.  In February 2004, he became the Commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard.