FORT HAMILTON, BROOKLYN--New York Air National Guard Technical Sgt. Brian Mathews, from the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, provides radio, internet, telephone and video support for Operation Empire Sun, the New York National Guard's participation in the Vigilant Guard exercise being conducted by the Puerto Rico National Guard.

The New York National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield headquarters in New York City, is portraying the headquarters of a 300-member task force deployed to Puerto Rico to help the Commonwealth recover from an Earthquake and tsunami.

The exercise, held quarterly, tests the ability of Guard forcs, state and federal agencies, and Active Component military forces to react to civil disasters and emergencies.