ROCHESTER -New York Army National Guard Capt, Eric Fritz took command of New York’s heavy lift helicopter from Capt. Christopher Gagliardo on Saturday Nov. 6 during a Change of Command Ceremony at the Patriot Way Armory here.
Gagliardo led Detachment 1 Company B of the 3rd Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment for the past four years, which included a deployment to Afghanistan.
The unit also won the Army Aviation Association of America Unit of the Year award for the 126th’s success during Operation Enduring Freedom 07-09.
Gagliardo led an inexperience unit to Afghanistan, flying CH-47’s in the most demanding conditions in the world and returning all Soldiers home safely.
The regiment is headquartered in Maryland.
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
Spectrum News -- Fri, 14 Nov 2025 Military museum highlights accomplishments, sacrifices of New York veterans (video) One museum in the Capital Region shines a light on New York's military history and the stories of the state's veterans. Located in Saratoga Springs, the New York State Military... (more)
National Guard.mil -- Thu, 13 Nov 2025 NY Army Guard Provides Funeral Honors for Homecoming of WWII Airman LYONS, N.Y. - A Lyons resident who died in World War II was laid to rest with full honors by seven Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard at the towns Old Elmwood Cemetery on Nov. 7. ... (more)
Military.com -- Thu, 13 Nov 2025 Four in a Row: New York National Guard Tops Nation Again in Recruiting For the fourth year in a row, the New York Army National Guard (NYARNG) is outpacing recruiting numbers compared to more than four dozen of its counterparts. The NYARNG has exerted prowess... (more)