NYS DMNA Photo Archive

28 Dec, 2007

1st Battalion 69th Infantry Command Sergeant Major Jorge Vasquez presents a battalion coin to movie star Will Smith during the filming of the newly released movie "I Am Legend" under the Brooklyn Bridge in January this year. Members of the 69th Infantry and other New York Army National Guard units portrayed MPs during the filming.

21 Dec, 2007

Army Veteran Mr. Nick Grinaldo, former member of the New York Army National Guard's 105th Infantry Regiment, is congratulated by New York State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto who pinned him with the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, 27 December.

20 Dec, 2007

Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh N.Y.-- 21 December 2007. Staff Sgt. Brian Burns, 105 MXS, happily awaits preparation to donate double red blood cells in support of Stewart Air National Guard Base's annual Holiday Season blood drive. Burns feels a sense of responsibility to give to those in need and has donated for over 8 years. The 105th Airlift Wing community is a consistent supporter of the New York Blood Service, Hudson Valley Region. Stewart ANGB holds four blood dives a year, each on or just prior to a major holiday.

12 Dec, 2007

Staff Sergeant Daniel Brunner, a N.Y. Army National Guard Citizen Soldier with the 42nd Infantry Division, passes a donated Christmas Tree to fellow volunteer 1SG Tony Coluccio at Ellms Farms in Charlton, N.Y. on November 28. The trees are part of a donated shipment for DoD installations in the U.S. and across the globe as part of the "Trees for Troops" charitable donations for 2007. Brunner voluteered his time on November 28 to help other area veterans and military famiily members in loading more than 150 trees for shipment at Ellms Tree Farms in Charlton, N.Y.

10 Dec, 2007

Placing a firm grasp on the National Guard Birthday cake are (at left) Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Van Pelt, New York State Command Sergeant Major and (at far right) Command Chief Master Sgt. Hardy Pierce, senior enlisted non-commissioned officer of the New York Air National Guard. Cutting the cake are Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, New York State Adjutant General and Pvt. Ashley Corsi, Company E, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment. The difference in General to Private rank symbolizes the current and future leadership in the National Guard.

20 Nov, 2007

1st Sgt Troy Steward, a member of 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry who spent most of 2006 as the NCOIC of a 16-man Embedded Training Team in Afghanistan, was recognized this month by the USO of Metropolitan New York for his service to the Army. Steward, pictured here on �the Stan� received the George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award during a banquet on Dec. 6. While serving in Iraq Steward, age 38, maintained a blog, www.bouhammer.com, which became one of the most-read military blogs on the Internet. Steward�s writings were included in Doonesbury Cartoonist Garry Trudeau�s book �The Sandbox� which highlighted the blogs of 40 service people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They�re both the same, Steward once told �The Washington Post� "There�s a big beach in both, and there�s no ocean over there.�

20 Nov, 2007

SGT Jodie Brock of Co A 427 Brigade Support Battalion operates a SINCGAR communications radio during squad lane training at Fort Drum December 5, 2007. Brock's unit is preparing to mobilize in early 2008 as part of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team's Task Force Pheonix, the headquarters element for the training and support of the Afghan national army and police forces for Operation Enduring Freedom.

19 Nov, 2007

During a commemorative anniversary ceremony honoring the 224th Birthday of former President Martin Van Buren, 8th President of the United States, Air Force Brig. Gen. Verle L. Johnston, commander, 105th Airlift Wing and Lt. Col. Eric Olsen, chaplain, 42nd Infantry Division, prepare to place a wreath at the base of the Van Buren monument in Kinderhook, N.Y., Dec. 5, 2007. Van Buren was a native of Kinderhook and served as President from 1837 to 1841. The event was also attended by area government officials, media and students from Ichabod Crane elementary school.

19 Nov, 2007

Staff Sgt. Robert Hale, Northeast Air Defense Sector identification technician keeps a close eye on tracking Santa. To ensure Santa is safe and on schedule, the Air National Guard will ensure that their alert fighter aircraft, controlled by NEADS, are prepared to fly and help Santa at a moment�s notice, if needed. And in case of poor flying weather, NEADS will provide jolly Saint Nick navigation and guidance.

19 Nov, 2007

Soliders of B Company 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry practice house-to-house combat at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site at Fort Drum on December 7, 2007. The Soldiers, along with 1,400 other members of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team, are due to deploy to Afghanistan in 2008 to train the Afghan National Army and police forces. The B Company soldiers, who will deploy as a specially trained and equipped security force, were attending an additional week of training at Fort Drum to prepare for their mobilization in January,along with other members of the brigade.

12 Nov, 2007

Soldiers of the Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division renew their enlistment vows while deployed to Cairo, Egypt in support of the 2007 Bright Star exercise Nov. 12, 2007. Each Soldier received a tax-free bonus of $15,000 for re-enlisting.

3 Nov, 2007

Members of the New York National Guards’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P) team prepare to move a casualty into a decontamination tent, where the individual will be washed to remove chemical agents. During a two-day exercise, joint training provided an opportunity for Soldiers and Airmen to improve and refine their Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) reaction skills. The training was held at the NY State Urban Search and Rescue Training site in Colonie, NY on Friday and Saturday November 2-3, 2007.

2 Nov, 2007

A member of the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team “clears a footprint” for his team during a Defense Support to Civil Authorities Response Exercise which kicked off Friday November 2, 2007. Clearing a footprint consists of identifying and sanitizing an area of chemical, biological and radiological contamination. This footprint is being cleared in preparation for the second phase of the exerecise in which the state's CERF-P team performs mass decontamination and casualty extraction exercises. CERF-P stands for Chemical, Biological,Radiological,Nuclear or High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package. The exercise was held at the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control's Urban Search and Rescue Training Center outside Albany.

15 Oct, 2007

Stewart Air National Guard Base, 15 October 2007. Members of the 105 Airlift Wing board a C-5A Galaxy for transport to Volk Field W.I. Unit members will participate in an Operational Readiness Exercise with two other Air National Guard units, the 128 AW & 157 ARW.

10 Oct, 2007

Second Lieutenant Andrew Joyce from the N.Y. Army National Guards' 27th Brigade Combat Team crawls through a culvert during obstacle negotiation training at Fort Drum, NY October 10, 2007. The intensive three-week training is part of the 27th's preparation for their 2008 deployment to Afghanistan.

5 Oct, 2007

New York Army National Guard Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. F. David Sheppard renders honors to President Chester Arthur, 21st President of the United States, at Albany Rural Cemetery on the 178th anniversary of his birthday Oct 5, 2007.

29 Sep, 2007

The New York Army National Guard's newest member, Pfc. Keith Muniz, receives his oath of enlistment as a Citizen Soldier September 29, 2007 at the Niagara Falls Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Muniz, from Fredonia, N.Y., joined the Guard's Company D, 427th Brigade Support Battalion as a Wheeled Vehicle Operator (88M). His enlistment puts the New York Army National Guard strength at 9,600 Soldiers - achieving The Adjutant General's strength objective for the 2007 fiscal year. With Pfc. Muniz are Sgt. Maj. Larry Linville (rear left), the senior NCO for recruiting in Western N.Y. and Sgt. Clifford Withey from Buffalo's recruiting and retention command. The N.Y. Army National Guard finished the year with an end strength of 9,622.

18 Sep, 2007

Air Force 60th Anniversary attendees check out the A-10 static display from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass, Sept. 18, 2007. Members from the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, Northeast Air Defense Sector and returning 465th Fighter Interceptor Squadron veterans commemorated their heritage during the event. The commemorative events were held at the AFRL Hangar located at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, N.Y.

17 Sep, 2007

National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Gen. Steven Blum speaks with New York Adjutant General Major Gen. Joseph Taluto during a visit to New York City on Sept. 17, 2007. Blum wears a New York Police Department baseball cap presented to him by members of the New National Guard’s Joint Task Force Empire Shield who are also members of the NYPD. Joint Task Force Empire Shield employs National Guard Soldiers and Airmen to enhance security at New York City airports, and train stations., along with power plants in upstate New York.

15 Sep, 2007

Soldiers of the 427th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) display the U.S. flag during the patriotic day pregame events at the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Saturday, September 15, 2007. The Central NY Citizen Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of Task Force Pheonix, the senior headquarters for training Afghan army and national police forces. Col. Gary Yaple, Deputy Commander of the Syracuse-based 27th Brigade Combat Team presided over the coin toss as Syracuse University Athletics saluted the American armed forces during the Syracuse University football game against Illinois on Saturday, September 15 at the Carrier Dome. Patriotic Day at the Dome. The "Fighting Illini" beat the Syracuse Orange, 41-20.

15 Sep, 2007

A group of 142nd Aviation Regiment Soldiers use a smoke grenade for cover to attack an entrenched .50-caliber enemy machine gun-man during their dismounted fight trainiing at Fort Drum's Military Operations on Urban Terrain site, Sept. 15, 2007.

14 Sep, 2007

To mark September as National Preparedness Month, New York’s Deputy Secretary for Public Safety is urging members of the New York National Guard to make sure that their home and family are ready for emergencies of all kinds.

11 Sep, 2007

Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York State, observes Soldiers of E Company, 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation reviewing first aid skills, during a visit to the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade's Annual Training at Fort Drum, New York Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Pictured (from left) are Sgt. Carl Vecchio, Taluto, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Sherman, and Specialist Venessa Soto, a medic and the class instructor. Photo by LTC Eric Durr

6 Sep, 2007

A young boy runs to greet his father as members of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing return from Afghanistan on Sept. 6, 2007. About 30 members of the wing, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, N.Y. returned from a month-long combat mission in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While members of the wing, which specializes in Artic and Antarctic operations, have served in the Global War on Terror since 9/11, this mission as the first time the unit's C-130 aircraft were deployed.

31 Aug, 2007

The long-awaited kiss from Sgt. Daniel Tompkins girlfriend Janice Gloss was waiting for him when 40 Soldiers from the 727th Military Police Liaison Detachment arrived at their Poughkeepsie armory after serving 15 months supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Victory Complex, Baghdad, Iraq.

19 Aug, 2007

Members of the N.Y. Army National Guard's Co. C, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry receive promotions on Sunday, Aug. 19. 1st Lt. Richard Redmond, the unit company commander presents the new ranks to (from left to right) Spc. Matthew Zwinge from East Greenbush, N.Y., Pfc. Timothy Doten from Mechanicville and Pfc. Forest Johnson from Salem. Assisting the commander is the company senior NCO, 1st Sgt. 1SG Robert Kropp. Also promoted during the unit ceremony was Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Orabona from Ballston Lake. The Soldiers are preparing for mobilization in late September 2007 as part of the security forces deploying for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan.

16 Aug, 2007

Chief Warrant Officer Mark Kimes conducts members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band during the unit’s concert series in the State Capitol in Albany on Thursday, August 16, 2007. The 34 Citizen Soldiers of the Rainbow Division Band, based at Camp Smith Training Site, conducted their collective annual training as community concerts in Hudson, Schenectady, Lake George, Troy, Albany and Glens Falls, New York from 13-16 August.

12 Aug, 2007

Members from the Northeast Air Defense Sector perform their command and control mission in order to prevent air attacks against the U.S. by responding to unknown, unwanted and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within U.S. sovereign airspace Aug 12, 2007.

9 Aug, 2007

Mike Basil (center) the owner of Basil Toyota in Lockport, speaks with Col. Patrick Ginavan ( left) the commander of the 107th Air Refueling Wing, and Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General, during Boss Day events at the wing Aug 9, 2007. Basil is an employer of Air National Guard personnel.

31 Jul, 2007

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, the Commander in Chief of the New York National Guard, expresses support Tuesday, July 31, for members of the 27th Brigade Combat Team who are due to be deployed in Afghanistan in 2008. The brigade, which is headquartered in Syracuse, NY, will be responsible for training Afghan National Army troops. Approximately 1700 soldiers from around the state will be part of the deployment. Spitzer visited the brigades headquarters at the Thompson Road Armory to thank the soldiers for their service and pledge the support of the people of the state.

25 Jul, 2007

NYS Military Museum and Veterans Research Center Director Michael Aikey discusses New York State’s display of World War II artifacts and exhibits with WMHT public television producer Matt Ryan at the Saratoga Springs Military Museum on July 25, 2007. The Capital District public television station airs the Ken Burns documentary “The War” this Sunday, September 23 at 8 p.m. and wanted perspectives from the Military Museum on New York’s preservation of Second World War oral histories and artifacts. The seven-part series, directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, tells the story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women.

26 Jun, 2007

The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs has officially signed on to support the re-employment rights of Reservists and National Guard members who return to their jobs from active duty. Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and the commander of the New York Army and Air Force National Guard signed the “Five Star Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve” June 26, 2007 that signifies participation in the Five Star Employer Program run by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Participating government and private employers ensure that their human resources departments are trained on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, that their human resources policies acknowledge the provisions of the act, and that they support their employees who are National Guard and Reserve members and advocate for the Guard and Reserve. The Division of Military and Naval affairs includes civilian employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve as well as full-time National Guard members. Taluto was joined for the June 26, 2007 signing ceremony by retired Army Reserve Major General Thomas Sabo, a West Seneca resident and the chairman of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve in New York. Sabo was vice president of operations for Michael P. Guastella and Associates Inc., a Boston insurance company, and commander of the 98th Division, headquartered in Rochester, before retiring in 2001. Pictured are (from left) Sabo; Beverly Keating, state family program director; Taluto; Eugene Murphy, redeployment transition assistance advisor-NY; Col. Curtis Williamson, human resources officer; and William Tracy, ESGR program support specialist

21 Jun, 2007

SPC Patrick E. McCarthy, 827th Engineer Company, New York Army National Guard, operates a D7 bulldozer in an attempt to restore the washed away protions of the Holiday Brook Road and return the Holiday Brook back to its original course Thursday, June 21, 2007. After heavy rains Tuesday evening, a flash flood removed portions of the road, destroyed 1 home and damaged several others. Four persons were reported missing after the flood waters receded.

19 Jun, 2007

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Ching, Space and Naval Warfare 220, from San Diego, Calif. prepares the Talon Mark 4 Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot for a demonstration June 19, 2007. The robot is used to investigate and destroy improvised explosive devises in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ching is part of an active-duty ordance training team visiting Camp Smith to provide training for New York's 501st EOD Battalion and 1108th EOD company, both headquartered in Schenectady.

17 Jun, 2007

Members of the decontamination team from the New York Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry prepare casualties for decontamination and medical processing during validation of the team’s casualty evacuation, decontamination and medical assessment mission. Nearly 300 members of the New York Army National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) conducted their team’s validation exercise at Fort Drum, N.Y. on June 17, 2007. The exercise evaluated the team’s ability to rapidly establish decontamination sites, evacuate casualties and provide decontamination and medical triage in support of civil authorities.

14 Jun, 2007

The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation uses a UH-60 Blackhawk to extract an abandoned vehicle during a GuardHELP community project in the Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve near Ronkonkoma, Long Island June 14, 2007.

7 Jun, 2007

A Rome Fire Department firefighter works to stabilize Northeast Air Defense Sector simulated victim during the Griffiss Park Mass Casualty Exercise Thursday June 7, 2007. The exercise challenged first responders to perform their triage and hazmat procedures on victims of a simulated terrorist attack.

4 May, 2007

Members of the NY National Guard train alongside Rhode Island National Guard and 5th Army representatives from ARNORTH during a hurricane preparedeness training exercise. The exercise, known as Ardent Sentry, was conducted May 1-4, 2007 in Providence Rhode Island and included representatives of state and federal emergency response agencies.

21 Apr, 2007

Congressman Vito Fossella from New York's 13th District delivers remarks to local New York City media attending the ceremonial announcement of the New York National Guard's second Civil Support Team - Weapons of Mass Destruction diaster response team located at Fort Hamilton, N.Y. May 22, 2007 From the right are: 1st Sgt. Jason Zeller, 1st CST-WMD, Capt. Michael Keyes, commander, 1st CST-WMD and Maj. Gen. Robert Knauff, Deputy State Adjutant General.