CAMP SMITH-- New York Guard Major Douglas Hedwig (left) poses with Maryland Defense Force Major Jari Villanueva who visited New York Guard headquarters here on Saturday, May 5 to honor Hedwig who is retiring from the state’s volunteer defense force. Hedwig has served as the commander of the New York Guard Band, joining after the 9/11 attacks, and provided advice to Villanueva on organizing a Maryland state guard band. Villanueva provided the New Yorker with Maryland Defense Force patches as a token of esteemUnder Hedwig’s leadership the New York Guard band has performed in parades and at public events, as well as for veterans. Hedwig is also the composer of the New York Naval Militia March
DMNA Press Releases
NY National Guard In the News
Governing -- Wed, 14 May 2025 The Surprisingly Expansive Role of the National Guard While primarily a military reserve force, the National Guard also responds to a wide variety of state-level missions some familiar kinds of missions, some more unusual. In Brief: Workforce... (more)
Newsday -- Wed, 14 May 2025 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach to get first helicopter training simulator in Northeast, mimicking perilous conditions Pilots stationed at the New York Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach will soon be able to safely train for a host of perilous conditions, as the base at Francis S. Gabreski... (more)
Times Union -- Tue, 13 May 2025 Duty Calls: 105th Airlift Wing airman earns top Air Force recruiter award New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Franklin Angel has received a Blue Suit Award for being one of the Air Forces top recruiters.