STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE- The seven members of the crew of Reach 824, a C-17 Globemaster III flown by the New York Air National Guards 105th Rescue Wing into Kabul during August 2021, pose for a group photo. They are, from left, Capt Matthew McChesney (Aircrew Commander), Tech Sgt. Byron Catu (flying crew chief), Staff Sgt. Evan Imbriglio (loadmaster), Tech Sgt. Joseph Caponi (loadmaster instructor), Staff Sgt. Corey Berke (loadmaster), Capt Jonathan Guagenti (pilot), Lt. Col. Andrew Townsend (pilot). McChesney will receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, while Townsend, Guagenti, Berke, Imbriglio, and Caponi will receive the Air Medal with Valor. Catu has ALREADY been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
DMNA Press Releases
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NationalGuard.mil -- Tue, 01 Sep 2026 New York Guard Shares Air Assault Techniques With Swedish Partners LINKOPING, Sweden Four New York Army National Guard aviators shared information on U.S. Army air assault doctrine with members of the Swedish Air Forces 2nd Helicopter Battalion during an... (more)
Staten Island Live -- Tue, 01 Sep 2026 Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani call on President Trump to release $87M in counterterrorism funding STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called on President Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to release $87... (more)
Cheektowaga Bee News -- Sun, 30 Aug 2026 Gerard awarded Josephthal Award for 2026 An East Amherst resident has been named the top performer in the 2,700-member New York Naval Militia. Chief Electricians Mate John Gerard, who has served in the states naval force since 2018,... (more)