FORT HAMILTON, BROOKLYN--New York Air National Guard Technical Sgt. Brian Mathews, from the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, provides radio, internet, telephone and video support for Operation Empire Sun, the New York National Guard's participation in the Vigilant Guard exercise being conducted by the Puerto Rico National Guard.
The New York National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield headquarters in New York City, is portraying the headquarters of a 300-member task force deployed to Puerto Rico to help the Commonwealth recover from an Earthquake and tsunami.
The exercise, held quarterly, tests the ability of Guard forcs, state and federal agencies, and Active Component military forces to react to civil disasters and emergencies.
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
WWNY -- Wed, 04 Mar 2026 7 After Noon: Ogdensburg Armory set to house new National Guard unit after recruiting goal surpassed WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - The Ogdensburg Armory is expected to house a New York Army National Guard unit again, after the state exceeded its regional recruiting target, the Guards second-in-command... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 02 Mar 2026 Duty Calls: Air National Guard recruiter achieves a milestone New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Jason Malm achieved a milestone with the recruitment of 200 airmen. Malm, a recruiter with the 109th Airlift Wing, achieved that career milestone by... (more)
Buffalo Ledger -- Fri, 27 Feb 2026 Erie County Sheriffs Deputy awarded by France for actions during Iraq deployment Deputy Aaron Taylor of the Erie County Sheriffs Office Aviation Unit has received the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star for his actions during a 2023 deployment in Iraq.... (more)