U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presents a leader�s challenge coin to New York Army National Guard Spc. Jason DeFazio from the 27th Brigade Combat Team and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 11. Mullen conducted a six-day tour of the region to visit troops and host a USO contingent including NFL All-Pros Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, and Osi Umenyiora, defensive end for the New York Giants, as well as the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Members of CJTF Phoenix provided a transportation team to support Mullen during his time in Kandahar. Among the troops tasked with the transportation assignment were Spc. Joe Adle, Spc. Jason Defazio, Spc. Gary Dennis, Spc. Douglass Moore. Spc. Edward Nickles, Spc. James Penlon, Spc. Stephanie Wolfanger, Sgt. Michael McGrath, Sgt. Darren Ringler, Sgt. Steven Watt, Staff Sgt. Maurice Edwards, Staff Sgt.Fred Fah, Tech. Sgt. Dennis Marks and Lt. Cdr Edward Ferguson. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley.
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
Times Union -- Mon, 18 May 2026 Duty Calls: 2 officers honored for decades of exemplary military duty New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Dage McNitt of Ballston Lake, an Iraq War veteran, received his fifth Meritorious Service Medal and a New York State Conspicuous Service Medal during... (more)
Army.mil -- Fri, 15 May 2026 Army trains with Swedish partners during Northern Lights 26 KUNGSNGEN, Sweden Eighty New York Army National Guard Soldiers spent their annual training working alongside Swedish soldiers in Swedens sprawling forests. Instead of spending their two... (more)
MyRye.com -- Mon, 11 May 2026 Honoring Service: Fallen Veteran Edward J. McNamara, WWI Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from... (more)