The New York State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto addresses Armory Officers In Charge from New York Army National Guard armories during a training conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The group met to review policies and procedures that support the nearly 10,000 member Army National Guard in approximately 60 armories and Soldier Readiness Centers across the state.

"Management of these facilities is an extremely important responsibility that we have as an organization," Taluto told the group. "We are the stewards of state property and we have facilities out there that have to be closely managed and operated."

A second training session was held for Armory Superintendants, state employees who oversee day-to-day maintenance and operations at the state facilities

The New York Army National Guard has experienced a significant increase in new military construction in recent years, said Mr. Paul McDonald at the training. McDonald is the Division of Military and Naval Afair's Director of Facilities and Engineering. "I am very excited about the new construction and facility upgrades that bring our armories into the 21st Century," he said. "We owe our Soldiers state-of-the-art facilities for our Soldiers serving today and for the new Soldiers who will serve tomorrow." U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg (RELEASED).