NEWBURGH--Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa (left) and Tech Sgt. Joseph Lemm, both members of the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing's 105th Base Defense Squadron, who were killed in action in Afghanistan on Dec. 21 2015, have been awarded the Bronze Star with V for Valor for their actions that day. The two Air Guardsmen were honored for giving their lives to save other Airmen from a suicide bomber. Four other Airmen died alongside them.
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Task and Purpose -- Wed, 25 Feb 2026 National Guardsmen awarded French valor medal for rescue of allied special forces Six New York National Guard soldiers flew an all-night rescue mission in 2023 to reach an ambushed team of French commandos. They just received valor awards from the French army. Six pilots... (more)
MSN -- Wed, 25 Feb 2026 Pentagon drops millions on wild ski planes that can land on Greenland ice Congress has approved $194 million in fiscal year 2026 defense funding to replace the New York Air National Guards aging fleet of ski-equipped LC-130H cargo planes with a new generation of... (more)
Stars and Stripes -- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 Congress funds powerful new airlifter on skis for US polar operations The Pentagon has secured $194 million to build the first of a fleet of new ski planes that will support troops flying over the Arctic and Antarctic. Funding approved by Congress last month... (more)