2014- 2015 State Partnership Program Events

USARAF SPP TAG Conference, 7-8 Jan, 2015

The New York National Guard, in conjunction with US Army Africa (USARAF) hosts the 2015 USARAF/SPP TAG Conference at the 1-69th Armory, 68 Lexington Avenue, NYC 7-8 January, 2015

174th ATK Wing visit

Colonel Greg Semmel (right) Commander of the 174th Attack Wing briefs Senior Defense Atache for the Republic of South Africa Brigadier General Marsharo Phala (Left) on the capabilities of the 174th ATW. Major General Eric Vollmecke, Air National Guard Mobilization Assistant to the Commander also attended the briefing. The 174th ATW is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York. The 174th Attack Wing currently operates the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Its mission is to provide qualified airmen and weapon systems engaging in global air, space and cyberspace operations; supporting homeland defense, joint operations and aid to civil authorities at the direction of the Governor.

Brigadier General Kevin Bradley, Assistant Adjutant General New York Air National Guard chats one-on-one with Brigadier General Marsharo Phala, Senior Defense Atache for the Republic of South Africa about the New York Air National Guard.

BG Phala Visits 152nd Air Operations Group

Colonel Michael Comella, 152nd AOG commander (left) and his staff discuss the duties and responsibilities of the 152nd AOG with Brigadier General Phala.

BG Phala Visits the Reaper Field Training Team

Brigadier General Marsharo Phala visits the MQ-9 Field Training Detachment Team

Brigadier General Marsharo Phala presents the South African National Defence coin to Major General Eric Vollmecke, the Air National Guard Mobilization Assistant to the Commander.

2014 South African Combat Rifle Competition

Ten members of the New York Army and Air National Guard represented the United States at a marksmanship competition in South Africa March 4-15, 2014. The team took two second place awards during the competition.

South African Senior Defense and Air Attache’ to the United States Visits Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base

The South African Senior Defense Attache’, Brig. Gen. Mashoro Abel Phala, Republic of South Africa, tours the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, Long Island, New York, Febreary 08, 2014. His tour included a Base Operations briefing by 106th Rescue Wing commander Col Thomas Owens and a visit to the 106th Civil Engineer Squadron. (NY Air National Guard photo by Sr A. Chris Muncy /Released)

Prior to the 106th Rescue Wing Operations briefing, Brig Gen Phala is given a brief overview of the training exercise held that day by Col Thomas J Owens II, 106th Rescue Wing commander. (NY Air National Guard photo by Sr A. Chris Muncy)

Brig. Gen. Phala visits the Base Fire Department. Major Carrick provides an overview of the Fire Department Operations. (NY Air National Guard photo by Major John Sandefur)

Brig. Gen. Phala tours 106th Civil Engineering Squadron with Senior leadership. (NY Air National Guard photo by Major John Sandefur)

106th Airmen A1C Abdul-Rafi, SrA Farley, SSG Flynn and SrA Gardner discuss aircraft electrical system quality assurance procedures with Brig. Gen. Phala. (NY Air National Guard photo by Major John Sandefur)

Brig. Gen. Phala has lunch with Airmen of the 106th Air Rescue wing. (NY Air National Guard photo by Major John Sandefur)

Brig. Gen. Phala was keynote speaker for the 106th RQW Nelson Mandela Tribute Celebration, held Feb 9, 2014. (NY Air National Guard photo by Major John Sandefur)

South African Senior Defense and Air Attache’ to the United States Visits the 105th Arilift Wing

U.S. Air Force Col Howard N. Wagner, Commander of the 105th Maintenance Group, Stewart Air National Guard Base Newburgh, New York answers a question about cold weather aircraft maintenance operations from Brig. Gen. Mashoro Abel Phala, the Senior Defense Attache’ to the United States from the Republic of South Africa after a tour of the 11th C-5M Super Galaxy undergoing refurbishment at the NYANG facility. Prior to the tour Brig Gen Phala was given a briefing on 105th Airlift Wing operations by Col Timothy J. LaBarge, 105AW commander, Dec. 17, 2013. (NY Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran/Released)

U.S. Air Force Col Matthew R. Godfrey, Vice Commander of the 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base Newburgh, New York with Brig Gen Mashoro Abel Phala, the Senior Defense Attache’ to the United States from the Republic of South Africa during tour of the 11th C-5M Super Galaxy undergoing refurbishment at the NYANG facility. Prior to the tour Brig Gen Phala was given a briefing on 105th Airlift Wing operations by Col Timothy J. LaBarge, 105AW commander, Dec. 17, 2013. (NY Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran/Released)

The Senior Defense Attache’ to the United States, Brig Gen Mashoro Abel Phala, Republic of South Africa visited Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh New York where he was given a briefing on 105th Airlift Wing operations by Col Timothy J. LaBarge, 105AW commander. Brig Gen Phala also toured the C-5M refurbishment program facility Dec. 17, 2013. (NY Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran/Released)