SCOTIA, N.Y. (AP) - A new commander has been named for the New York Air National Guard unit that supports research missions in Antarctica and Greenland.

National Guard officials announced Wednesday that Col. Shawn Clouthier will take command of the 109th Airlift Wing on April 15. The 50-year-old Coxsackie resident is currently commander of the 109th Operations Group.

He's replacing Col. Timothy LaBarge, who's taking command next month of the Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing based in Newburgh.

The 109th is based at the Stratton Air National Guard Base outside Schenectady. The unit flies LC-130 "Skibirds" capable of landing on snow in remote locations. Its nearly 1,000 members carry supplies to the U.S. science station at the South Pole and fly missions in support of the war in Afghanistan.

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