A local Iraq war veteran is now a colonel in the New York Air National Guard.

Niskayuna resident Larry Schaefer was promoted Saturday at the National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Schaefer, who is originally from Saugerties, has more than 25 years of military service and has been a member of the New York Air National Guard since 1998, serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for two divisions.

The office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides legal assistance to New York National Guard members, their dependents or retirees.

Schaefer served as counsel in Iraq with the coalition Provisional Authority, then again at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He also was deployed to New Orleans to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Schaefer graduated from the University at Albany and then Syracuse University College of Law.