WESTHAMPTON BEACH -- New York Air National Guard firefighters assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing deployed along the Sunrise Highway on Saturday March 8, 2025 as they fight the Pine Barren Fire which erupted that afternoon as high winds swept across Long Island.
Airmen were evacuated from nearby F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, while one of the wing's HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopters flew 28 water bucket firefighting missions, dropping 660 gallons of water each time. Eventually, three UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the Army Guard's 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, were also deployed against the massive fire.
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
Times Union -- Thu, 05 Feb 2026 Schumer announces $194 million secured for Skibird planes used by 109th Airlift Wing GLENVILLE U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday that he and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand had secured $194 million to start building the next-generation LC-130H Skibird... (more)
News Directory 3 -- Thu, 05 Feb 2026 Harlem Hell Fighters: Black WWI Heroes & Jazz Pioneers Remembering the Harlem Hellfighters: A Legacy of Courage and Jazz As Black History Month continues, today, February 5, 2026, we remember the extraordinary story of the 369th Infantry Regiment,... (more)
Daily Gazette -- Wed, 04 Feb 2026 New York Air National Guard Promotions LATHAM Air Force Major General Gary Charlton, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Air National Guard in recognition... (more)