New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews conduct water bucket ("Bambi Bucket") training at Round Lake, NY Wednesday May 13. A full Bambi Bucket holds 560 gallons and weights over two tons. Pilots, crews and maintenance personnel train with the bucket every spring in order to remain ready to support the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
In July of 2018 two New York Army National Guard UH-60 helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets were called to a forest fire in Flat Rock State Forest in Altona N.Y. where the aircrews dropped 126,000 gallons of water on the 526-acre fire over a 3 day period.
DMNA Press Releases
NY National Guard In the News
Albany Times Union, Aug. 21 -- Thu, 21 Aug 2025 Duty Calls: West Point grad advances to Army National Guard colonel Mathew Kilgore, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, has advanced to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard. The 2002 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point... (more)
The Daily Gazette -- Wed, 13 Aug 2025 New York National Guard Promotions LATHAM Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability... (more)
Daily Gazette -- Tue, 12 Aug 2025 Air Guard Lt. Col. Longlois retires after 42 years of service New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Charles Longlois, a Mayfield resident, retired after a 42-year military career during a ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham... (more)