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
NY National Guard In the News
North Country Now -- Tue, 25 Mar 2025 SUNY Potsdam and New York Army National Guard hold ribbon cutting for Campus Recruiting Office POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam officials welcomed New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali for a ribbon cutting and formal signing ceremony celebrating its new campus recruiting office,... (more)
Spectrum News -- Tue, 25 Mar 2025 Henry Johnson Army website removed for federal DEI review The U.S. military has temporarily removed a website honoring the renaming of Fort Polk after World War I soldier Henry Johnson, a Black war hero from Albany, while it reviews "culturally... (more)
WWNY -- Mon, 24 Mar 2025 National Guard cuts ribbon on new recruiting office in Potsdam (video) POTSDAM, New York (WWNY) - The New York Army National Guard has a new recruiting presence at SUNY Potsdam. The ribbon was cut on the new recruiting office on Monday. In attendance were... (more)