HORN OF AFRICA--New York Army National Guard Capt. Mike Kirwin the commander of Alpha Company 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment left and Col. Sean Flynn the commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team pose for a photograph in the Horn of Africa on Jan. 21 2023 while Flynn was visiting the company at on of Task Force Wolfhounds outstations in the region. Task Force Wolfhound led by the 69th Infantry is providing security for U.S. bases in the region. The C-12 Flynn was traveling in was piloted by pilots assigned to the New York National Army National Guards Detachment 5 of C Company 2nd Battalion of the 245th Aviation Regiment.
KATTERBACH, GERMANY-- New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Joint Military Training Group-Ukraine listen as Army 1st Lt. Sean Schlagel an aviation officer assigned to Bravo Company 1st Battalion 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Battalion) gives an overview of the capabilities of the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter during a professional development event in Katterbach Germany Jan. 4 2023. The event organized for Soldiers assigned to Task Force Orion manned by the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, followed their training in the Army's military decision-making process and helped them understand how to incorporate aviation and air defense assets into planning for combat operations.
STATEN ISLAND--New York Army National Guard Major Kevin Vilardo the executive officer of the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion left passes the guidon of the 42nd Infantry Division Signal Company to Capt. Joseph F. Bologna during change of command ceremonies on January 21 2023 at the Manor Road Armory in Staten Island. Bologna replaced Capt.Ryan M. Visgauss as the commander of the company.
FORT POLK-- New York Army National Guard Sgt.Klayton McCallum and Sgt. Thomas Mulhern, both from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, are representing the entire Army National Guard at the Command Sgt. Maj. Jack L. Clark U.S. Army Best Medic Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana. You can track what is going on this week here: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyBestMedicCompetition/.
ROCHESTER-- Soldiers assigned to the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion salute during their farewell ceremony held on January 22 2023 at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport. 350 members of the battalion and 45 Soldiers from Bravo Company 3rd Battalion 126th General Support Aviation Battalion aer currently at Fort Indiantown Gap training for a deployment to Kuwait later this year.
LEEDS-- New York Nava Militia Senior Chief Timothy Otty presents a Naval Milita challenge coin to Matthew Durocher, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs regional mechanic, during a visit to the Leeds Armory on January 18, 2023. The New York Naval Militia stores several boats used by the Military Emergency Boat Service at the armory and Durocher plays a key role in keeping things running at the armory, enabling the Naval Militia to conduct its mission.
RONKONKOMA--Soldiers of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion and their families gather at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Ronkonkoma on January 22 for a ceremony to mark their deployment to Kuwait. The Soldiers will train at Fort Indiantown Gap and then Fort Hood prior to heading for the Middle East.
Westhampton Beach-- Members of the 106th Rescue Wing Base Honor Guard stand at attention during training at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach on January 8, 2023. Pictured are, from left: Staff Sgt Dominick Barget, Senior Airman Yanier Romero, Staff Sgt Colleen Bonamico, Master Sgt Alan Sanchez, Staff Sgt Duquann Hinton, and Tech. Sgt Michael Pennolino
SARATOGA SPRINGS-- New York Army National Guard recruiters who were recognized for their efforts in 2022 display their awards during the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Dining Out held on January 7, 2023 in Saratoga Springs, New York. The New York Army National Guard recruiters were the only National Guard recruiting team to meet their goal, and even exceed it, for fiscal 2022.
DJIBOUTI-- Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin, commander of New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, presents a challenge coin to Capt. Nina Skinner, the battalion communications officer, after she completed a Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 16, 2022. Skinner received the coin for placing first among female participants with a finish time of 3 hours and 59 minutes.
ALBANY--Michael Searing poses for a photo with his parents Thomas and Kimberly as well as his older brother John during a Make a Wish event on January 8th during which he was a Soldier for the Day. The event was organized by Make-a- Wish and the New York Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion for Michael where he was sworn in as a Soldier in the Army for a day and received a military escort to the Albany airport where he boarded a flight for Disney World with his family.
CAMP SMITH--New York Guard Col Stephen Ryan, Deputy Commander New York Guard leads a Profession Development class for New York Guard service members assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) on January 7, 2023, at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor, NY. The training lesson covered saluting protocols, proper wear of uniform, and military email etiquette. The purpose of professional development is to help the service members develop their knowledge, skills and experience for their present roles and any potential future roles as prepared and capable leaders.
SCOTIA--Dr. Robert Donnell a retired Navy officer pins an additional star onto the uniform of his daughter Major General Denise Donnell the commander of the New York Air National Guard during her promotion ceremony on Jan. 6 2023 at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia New York. At right is her brother John Donnell a technical sergeant in the Michigan Air National Guard also assists.
NIAGARA FALLS--Staff Sgt Kevin Au 107th Attack Wing receives the New York State Military Commendation Medal from Col Andrew Carlson wing commander and Brigadier General Denise Donnell commander of the New York Air National Guard Dec 30 2022 Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Eighteen members of the 107 ATKW earned the medal for displaying exemplary dedication and resiliency during their activation through a storm that would eventually claim 39 lives.
BUFFALO-- New York Guard Staff Sgt. Kris Bateman, (L) and SPC Israa Cahill (M) work alongside a New York Army National Guard soldier as DLAN Operators in the Joint Operations Center (JOC), at the Connecticut St. Armory, Buffalo NY on December 29th, 2022, as part of Joint Task Force 5 Operation December Winter Storm 2022. Eight New York Guard members are on state active duty, along with over six hundred Soldiers from the New York National Guard in the western New York area, who are assisting with rescue and recovery efforts following the historic snowstorm which hit the region over the Christmas weekend.