NYS DMNA Photo Archive

23 Dec, 2008

ROME-- New York Air National Guard Staff Sgts. Deborah Martin(left) and Corey Reynolds, gear up to track Saint Nick's yearly trip as part of the annual NORAD Track's Santa event. The Airmen are members of the North East Air Defense Sector, a New York Air National Guard unit which monitors the skies above the eastern United States and Canada as part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The two are making sure that the high-tech radars that scan the sky above the eastern United States and Canada are ready to go Each year, NORAD tracks Santa, and you can too by checking out the Web site http://www.noradsanta.org -- the site features fun holiday games and activities that change daily.

17 Dec, 2008

Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowarski is assisted by Staff Sgt. Linda Nosbisch in unveiling the CJTF-Phoenix VII plaque in Patriot Square on the National Guard?s 372nd birthday last Saturday evening, 13 December. Both are from Lancaster, NY. The plaque marks the iteration of the training task force led by the New York Army National Guard?s 27th Brigade Combat Team. Colonel Brian K. Balfe, the task force commander and Spec. Ray Ramirez from Saratoga Springs, who helped design it, stand next to Staff Sgt. Nosbisch as Captains Juan Bravo from New York City and Joel Abelove from the Capital District use their cameras and Sgt. Mike Heron from Syracuse watches.

14 Dec, 2008

BAGHDAD--New York Army National Guard Pfc. Steven P. Fitzgerald and his fianc饠and fellow Guard member Spc. Viviana B. Molina, of the 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, review intelligence reports before a briefing in Iraq. Fitzgerald, is an 18-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department, and joined the National Guard when he was 41 years old. The battalion, which has units on Long Island and in the Albany area, deployed to Iraq in August.

10 Dec, 2008

SYRACUSE - "Orion has landed". More than 100 New York Army National Guard Soldiers returned home, landing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base on Tuesday afternoon, December 9. The soldiers are members of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who spent ten months in Afghanistan training members of the Afghan National Army. Soldiers exiting the aircraft are greeted by Lt. Col. Reggie Sanders, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Van Pelt and a host of well wishers from the "Rear Detachment" The 27th BCT under the command of Colonel Brian K. Balf, mobilized in January 2008 to serve as part of Combined Joint Task Force - Phoenix VII. They are the first of approximately 1,700 NYARNG soldiers returning home over the coming weeks.

9 Dec, 2008

Brig. Gen. Paul C. Genereux (left) passes the flag of the 2-108th infantry battalion to Lt. Col. Joseph Biehler during the battalion's change of command ceremony in Utica, N.Y. December 6, 2008. Biehler deployed to Iraq in 2004 as the operations officer of the battalion he will now lead. His awards include the Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Ranger Tab Airborne Wings, Air Assault Wings and Combat Infantryman's Badge.

5 Dec, 2008

KINDERHOOK, N.Y. - Brigadier General F. David Sheppard (at left), Deputy Commander of the New York Army National Guard and New York Air Guard Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Todd Luce place a wreath beside other wreaths on Dec. 5 honoring the 226th birthday of former U.S. President Martin Van Buren, a native of Kinderhook. The birthday remembrance was also attended by U.S. Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart who introduced the first issuance of the Van Buren $1 presidential coin that was given to local school children who also attended the event. Van Buren is buried in the Kinderhook Reformed Cemetery, along with his wife Hannah, his parents, and his son Martin Jr.

2 Dec, 2008

COHOES, N.Y. - Mission Complete! Aviation Soldiers from the New York National Guard's headquarters in Latham volunteered to unload holiday care packages at the Cohoes Post Office on Dec. 2. The care packages were supplied by local civic and veteran organizations for New York Army National Guard Aviation Soldiers deployed to Iraq.

25 Nov, 2008

ROCHESTER - Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, and his wife Susan Taluto, address Soldiers and family members of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Saturday Nov. 22, via video, at the Woodcliff Resort & Conference Center. The soldiers and their families gathered for The New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. The NYARNG Reintegration Program is an effort to help Soldiers and their families cope with stress of returning to civilian life after deployment, while also helping National Guard Units transition from federal mobilization status back to state control. The two day event included opening remarks by Brig. Gen. Patrick Murphy, Director Joint Forces Headquarters and was followed by a Job Fair type event featuring VA, veterans groups, legal assistance, etc. The 2-108th Infantry (Security Force Company) recently returned from Afghanistan where they served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of Task Force Phoenix VI and VII.

20 Nov, 2008

Brig. Gen. Patrick Murphy, Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard signs the Army Community Covenant, Nov. 19, at the Palace Theater in Albany. The covenant is a symbolic declaration of support from community leaders to partner with local Army and Reserve forces to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their families. Also signing the covenant were Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton and representatives from the V.A. Medical Center and the Watervliet Arsenal. ?I know we have the support from our communities,? said Brig. Gen. Murphy, who served 32 months in the Middle East. ?I know this because whenever there is a fallen warrior the community always comes out to help that family. And, around the holidays, our troops get Christmas gifts and letters from people appreciative of what they?re doing to protect our freedoms.? The Army Community Covenant is an initiative of the Secretary of the Army Pete Geren with ceremonies similar to Albany taking place around the country for the past several months. Soldiers flanking the Covenant are Staff Sgt. Harold Gosling, Joint Forces Headquarters, Latham, NY and Sgt. Jennifer Dowling, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Albany, NY

16 Nov, 2008

Captain Joseph Merrill from Binghamton congratulates Spec. Kevin MacNeill from Whitney Point as he presents the New York Army National Guard Soldier with an Army Commendation Medal for serving in Afghanistan with the 27th Brigade Combat Team during an awards ceremony held Friday, Nov. 14 in Kabul. Almost 50 members of Company D, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, received awards during the event. These included 15 Combat Infantryman's Badge awards, and two awards of the Combat Action Badge for non-infantry Soldiers

10 Nov, 2008

LATHAM, NY- New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Willie Gizara, pretends to be a penguin as he presents his program, "A Visit to Antarctica" to the children of military parents attending the New York National Guard Family Symposium Nov. 8-9. Gizara, the multi-media manager for the 109th Airlift Wing, which flies ski-equipped C-130s to the South Pole, also mugs it up with a penguin on screen. Gizara's presentation was one of a number of events the 85 children who attended the weekend participated in while their parents--volunteers who make the National Guard's Family Readiness Group's work--were discussing better ways to take care of military families.

10 Nov, 2008

SARATOGA SPRINGS--Saratoga Springs resident Eugene Corsale, a Navy veteran of the Korean War and the New York State Military Heritage Institute's Distinguished Veteran of the Year, speaks with WNYT reporter John Stampf, Saturday, Nov. 8, at the New York State Military History Institute. The 80-year old Corsale was honored by the Military Heritage Institute for his work in promoting veterans issues, and his years of community service in Saratoga County, where he worked as director of the country real property tax program. the Military Heritage Institute is a not-for-profit which raises money to benefit the New York State Military History Museum.

10 Nov, 2008

BINGHAMTON, NY - Lt. Col. Jeffrey M. Cipolla passes the 204th Engineer guidon to Command Sergeant Major Daniel Ames for safe keeping during the Change of Command Ceremony for the 204th Engineer Battalion, Saturday, November 8. Cipolla an Iraq War veteran and Bronze Star recipient assumed command from outgoing commander Lt. Col. Carlton C. Cleveland. The 204th Engineer Battalion is the only engineer battalion in the New York Army National Guard and plays a significant role when the Guard responds to state emergencies. Overseeing transition of command was Colonel Fred Kubus, Commander 153rd Troop Command. Ltc. Cleveland is slated to become operations officer for 53rd Troop Command in Valhalla, NY.

7 Nov, 2008

New York City--Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and Commander of the New York National Guard and Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux, Jr., the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division (Center) salute as the remains of New York Army National Guard Sgt. Deon Taylor pass by during funeral observances on Thursday, Nov. 6. Taluto and Genereux joined other Army and New York Police Department dignitaries, include Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and New York City Major Michael Bloomberg, at Manhattan's Riverside Church to honor Taylor. Taylor, a member of the New York Police Department since 2005, and the Army National Guard since 2001, was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 22 when an improvised explosive device destroyed his humvee. He was deployed with the 27th Brigade Combat Team which is training the Afghan National Army and Police

6 Nov, 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Staff Sergeant Gil Brassard and his son Specialist Ben Brassard, both truck drivers assigned to the New York Army National Guard's Company A 427th Brigade Support Battalion, watch as MRAPs and up armored humvees pull out of the Camp Phoenix motor pool, on October 31. Gil Brassard volunteered to deploy with the unit, last year after learning his son was deploying. The elder Brassard, 55, is a Marine Vietnam veteran who has also served in Iraq with New York's 719th Transportation Company in 2003. This is 23-year old Ben's first deployment.

4 Nov, 2008

New York Islanders left wing Jeff Tambellini meets New York Air National Guard Major Kerry McCauley during an October 24 visit to the 106th Rescue Wing at Grabreski Field Air National Guard Base. Tambellini and center Frans Nielsen, toured the base, met with members of the wing and climbed aboard HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters and HC-130 rescue aircraft to learn more about what the wing does. The two players also signed autographs and met with children of wing members as well. The Islanders will hold a military appreciation night during their Nov. 11, Veteran's Day game against the Philadelphia flyers.

1 Nov, 2008

OLEAN, N.Y. - Sergeant Grant Farmer, Detachment 1, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation instructs Spc. Carrie Kinnaird, Company A, 642nd Aviation Support Battalion from Dunkirk, N.Y. how to guide cargo into a CH-47 Chinook helicopter's cargo bay during training at the Cattaraugus County Airport on Nov. 1

31 Oct, 2008

CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL AFGHANISTAN--New York National Guard Soldiers who are also members of the New York Police Department mourn the loss of Sgt. Deon Talyor, a fellow New York Police Department officer, and other Soldiers and Marines killed in action in Afghanistan during a memorial service here on October 30. Sgt. Taylor was killed during combat operations in Bala Baluk in Farah Province, when the armored humvee he was riding in hit an improvised explosive device. Sgt. Taylor was ten year veteran of the Army and Army National Guard and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Syracuse.

30 Oct, 2008

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. - New York Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Salvatore Cautela and Sgt. Michael Gerardi check for hazordous materials as they move through a building during lane two of a Joint Collective Training Excercise between the New York national Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, (CST) and the 15th CST, Vermont National Guard. The two day excercise held in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom brought together the New York and Vermont Civil Support Teams as well as two augmentees from Rhode Island and members of the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. Civil Support Teams are trained to assist civilian first responders by identifying the presence of chemical, biological, or radiological hazards in the event of an attack, explosion or fire.

28 Oct, 2008

New York Army National Guard Spc. Jin Hui Jiang hands Richard Crogan his pay during a mission readiness exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis. Jiang is a cashier with the 27th Finance Battalion Headquarters Company from Whitestone, N.Y. The unit is mobilized to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and expects to deploy overseas to Kuwait in early November. Crogan is a �civilian on the battlefield� role-player employee at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photograph)

27 Oct, 2008

New York Army National Guard Specialist Gregory Dippel from Oswego, New York hands a bag of personal hygiene items to a resident of the Tahai Maskan Boys Orphanage in Tahal Maskan, Afghanistan, during a humanitarium relief mission conducted by Company B 427th Combat Support Battalion on 23 October. The company, serving as part of the logistics task force for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, commanded by the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team, trains the Afghan National Army and Police. The Company, whose mechanics repair task force equipment, brought 15 pallets of items donated by New Yorkers for the 350 orphans at the home.

22 Oct, 2008

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - New York National Guard Soldiers conduct their Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Explosion Emergency Response Force (CERF-P) validation training here on Oct. 22 by responding to a simulated casualty. Behind the training teams are the CERF-P decontamination tents where the injured are taken to begin the individual decontamination process. The CERF-P consists of the 102nd Military Police Battalion, 105th MP Company, the New York Guard, and airman of the Air National Guard.

22 Oct, 2008

The Times Square memorial for New York Army National Guard Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Francis Duffy shines on October 16, 2008. The City of New York rededicated Father Duffy Square after years of renovations and restoration for the heroic World War I National Guard veteran of the city's famous 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, the Army's illustrious "Fighting 69th." The unit has served as a National Guard military force in the nation's Civil War, Mexican Expedition of 1916, World War I, World War II and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Most recently, hundreds of New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley Soldiers from the 69th volunteered to deploy for service in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

21 Oct, 2008

New York Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hoblin, the Civil Military Operations Officer for the 27th Brigade Combat Team and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, the keys to a new school wing to Najibullah Kamran, the City of Kabul's Director of Education. Task Force Phoenix invested $185,000 in building a new ten-room wing to the Tajwar Sultana Girls School, where 4,000 girls attend classes in three daily shifts. Previously, many classes were held outside or under tents because an existing structure built almost 30 years ago was in poor condition and there was not enough space to meet student needs. . ?We have built or started construction on 47 schools throughout Afghanistan. If you look into the eyes of these children you can see hope. These kids need and deserve our help. There is progress here," Hoblin said.

20 Oct, 2008

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard and the Army Reserve's 310th Military Police Battalion work with members of the Peekskill Volunteer Ambulance Corps during an emergency responder drill conducted Saturday, October 18 at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor. The exercise tested the ability of Camp Smith personnel, and local civilian first responders to cope with a casualty at one of the trqaining area's ranges. The exercise, which also involved a Life Net of New York emergency medical helicopter, simulated a gunshot wound to a member of the Uniondale-based 310th MPs while training on Camp Smith's Range 1. Members of the Continental Village Fire Department, the Westchester County Emergency Management Office, and the New YOrk Guard, the state's volunteer defense force, also participated.

17 Oct, 2008

FORT PICKETT, Va. - Commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux, passes the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry colors to in-coming commander, Lt. Col. John Andonie at a change-of-command ceremony at the Fort Pickett movie theater on Oct. 17. At right, Lt. Col. Charles Crosby, out-going 69th commander, looks on.

14 Oct, 2008

An F-16C of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing leaps into the air Tuesday, October 14, en route to Edwards Air Force Base, California, as the unit began saying goodbye to the fighter bombers it has operated since 1988 at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse. The 174th which flew combat patrols in Iraq this summer, is due to being operating the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle in 2010.

13 Oct, 2008

Members of CJTF-Phoenix, built around the New York National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team, pose with visiting U.S. representatives in Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix next to an MRAP armored vehicle. The U.S Representatives ( In civilian clothing)are (from left) Rep. Michael Arcuri, Utica; Rep. Thomas Reynolds, Williamsville; Rep. Steve Israel, Suffolk County; and Nevada U.S Rep.Shelly Berkley.

10 Oct, 2008

FORT DIX, N.J.- Sergenat Wilfredo Taveras of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Bn, 258th Field Artillery instructs a fellow Soldier on Land Navigation Sept. 27. The weekend-long Field Training Exercise involved members of HHB, 1st Bn, 258th FA and Company G, 427th Brigade Support Battalion from Jamaica, N.Y.

7 Oct, 2008

Brigadier General F. David Sheppard, deputy commander of the New York Army National Guard and NY National Guard Capt. (Chaplain) Brian Pidkaminy mark the 179th birthday of President Chester A. Arthur by laying a wreath at Arthur's gravesite in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 5.

6 Oct, 2008

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq � As the colors of the New York Army National Guard�s 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion unfurled for commander Lt. Col. Al Ricci and Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Imbarrato, aircrews and Soldiers from the �Jesters� assumed their combat mission here in Iraq on September 25, 2008. The transfer of authority ceremony marked the culmination of more than a year of battalion training at locations such as Fort Drum, N.Y., Fort Rucker, Ala. and a predeployment training period at Fort Sill, Okla.

5 Oct, 2008

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Assuming command of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion is incoming commander, Lt. Col. Scott Norcutt, who passes the Battalion colors to 642nd Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Rounds for safe-keeping on Oct. 4, at Army Aviation Support Facility #2. Colonel Michael Bobeck (right), commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, transitioned command authority from outgoing commander Lt. Col. Mark Stryker to Lt. Col. Norcutt.

2 Oct, 2008

The New York Army National Guard?s latest enlistee, Private Joseph Rios, 19, at right, poses with his brother Javier, 23 prior to reaffirming his oath of enlistment from Army Training and Doctrine Command commander General William Wallace in Times Square, New York City on October 1. "It's a family tradition for us - we wanted to become something more," said Javier Rios. Joseph Rios joined eight other Soldiers for the Army?s milestone ceremony to mark the achievement of Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard recruiting goals for the 2008 fiscal year. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Errol Cadet.

13 Sep, 2008

LATHAM, NY - 42nd Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux passes the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade colors to incoming commander Col. Michael Bobeck inside Army Aviation Support Facility #3 on Sept. 13. Standing at far left is out-going 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander Col. Mark Burke and Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Justin Cappon awaiting to receive the colors for safe-keeping.

12 Sep, 2008

Tenth grade students from Hancock Central School hold up a 3-by-14 foot banner displaying ?KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK? and signed by the then 3rd graders, faculty and other students. The banner was taped to donations sent to Soldiers working 18-hour shifts supporting rescue and recovery efforts at ?Ground Zero? following the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. The banner was returned nearly seven years later by retired Sgt. 1st Class Delbert Higgins, 42nd Infantry ?Rainbow? Division during a school wide 9-11 Remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11, 2008. Higgins kept his promise to say thank you to roughly 35 youngsters who demonstrated concern and ultimately motivated Soldiers during a difficult time.

10 Sep, 2008

New York State Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto speaks with Ms. Susan Shabangu, the South Africa Deputy Minister for Safety and Security during the National Guard's State Partnership Conference in Latham on September 4. Leaders from the South African Defense Forces and New York National Guard met to discuss emerging opportunities for military to military relations and continuing partnerships with New York's government agencies.

7 Sep, 2008

A line of HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 943rd Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., 176th Wing, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif. and the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing from Westhampton Beach, Long Island sit on the flightline at Ellington Field, Texas, Sept. 3. The U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard aircraft and personnel provided the governors of Louisiana and Texas air search and rescue assets for the response to Hurricane Gustav.

22 Sep, 2008

CAMP SMITH, N.Y. - Captain Jonathan E. Dilmore, Battalion Tactical Officer, Headquarters Support Company, 204th Engineer Battalion, briefs Canadian Master Cpl. Harry Morrison and 2nd Lt. David R. Bulger of the 32nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Canadian Land Forces prior to embarking on an 'engineer recon' during the 204th Engineer Battalions' 2008 Squad Stakes held September 12-14.

3 Sep, 2008

An HH-60 special operations Pavehawk search and rescue helicopter from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing arrives for hurricane recovery operations in Meridian, Miss. The unit will operate in support of the Louisiana Air National Guard Task Force Eagle.

29 Aug, 2008

Ithica New York native, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Deis, New York Army National Guard, assigned to Security Force Company D, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, speaks with National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum at the conclusion of an open forum meeting at Camp Phoneix in Kabul, Afghanistan. ?You leave your family, you leave your loved ones, you leave your job, you leave your education and do not know for sure exactly when it is going to come back to you.? Blum told New York Guard members whose mission is to train the Afghan National Army and Police. ?It takes a special breed of men and women, that I am proud to be a part of, that calls themselves National Guard,".

1 Sep, 2008

An New York Air National Guard HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopter departs Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. August 31, 2008 on its way to Hurlburt Field, Florida to prepare for post-Hurricane Gustave recovery operations. 3 CH-47s and 3 UH-1 Medevac Helicopters from the Army National Guard flight facility in Rochester were sent to assist the Lousiana National Guard in recovery operations.

28 Aug, 2008

Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, NY National Guard Adjutant General presents a trophy to jockey Alan Garcia for his first place win atop ?Calling My Colors? and trainer Howard Tresher on Aug 27. The third race dubbed ?The New York National Guard Citizen-Soldier Race? was part of Saratoga Race Courses recognition to military personnel and veterans during 'Proud to Be an American Day' at the track.

26 Aug, 2008

SYRACUSE - Senior Airman Patrick Leclair of the 174th Fight Wing in Syracuse oversees kids from Syracuse as they take turns inside the training cockpit of an F-16. The training cockpit is part of the New York Air National Guard display at the Great New York State Fair. Airmen and women from the 174th recently returned from supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

18 Aug, 2008

Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard�s 105th Military Police Company assemble a decontamination line during training at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on August 7. The Soldiers are preparing for certification as part of the New York National Guard�s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), the state�s military force trained and equipped to support first responders with casualty extraction, evacuation, decontamination and medical triage for hazardous material or weapons of mass destruction events. The Army Guard troops train to conduct the CERFP decontamination line. The unit is expected to validate and receive certification for employment later this fall. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charity Edwards.

14 Aug, 2008

FORT DRUM -- Corporal Nicholas Sbano, a New York Pre-Mobilization Assistance Element (PTAE) Officer Controller/Trainer, and Spc. Leslie Thomas, an assistant instructor, aid deploying Soldiers in moving through a barbed wire obstacle course on August 8. Formed in April, 2007, the 21-day-long PTAE training was deemed necessary by Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York, to provide important instruction and certification to deploying Soldiers.

12 Aug, 2008

UD KHIEL VILLAGE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN-- New York Army National Guard Captain Joseph Merrill from Binghamton, NY and commander of Security Force Delta of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, works with a translator to direct a father seeking medical attention for his son during a medical treatment visit conducted on August 7. More than 1000 residents of Ud Kheil village were treated by Afghan medical staff and received medicine, vitamins and personal items through a joint assistance operation on August 7th. The medical assistance visit was part of a partnership between the village and International Security and Assistance Force Soldiers stationed at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, the home of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix -- and Afghan National Security Forces and coalition allies. The operation was held at the girls? school, a project completed along with the boys? school in the spring. That work is part of Camp Phoenix?s ongoing outreach efforts and support to the Afghan government and its people. About 1,700 members of the New York Army National Guard are serving in Afghanistan as part of the mission to train the Afghan National Army and Police

8 Aug, 2008

NEW YORK - Naval Militia Petty Officer Thomas McMahon operates the states' Military Emergency Boat Service Patrol Boat 440 along the waterways of New York City Aug. 6 alongside CDR Don McKnight during the State University of New York's Maritime College Operation Trojan Horse security training exercise. Operation Trojan Horse involved multiple city and state homeland security and law enforcement agencies in a maritime response exercise.

6 Aug, 2008

Syracuse, NY--Leaders of the New York Air National Guard and the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing greet 174th unit members returning home to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base from Operation Iraqi Freedom on Tuesday, August5. The 174th unit members deployed in early June as part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation. The wing's F-16C fighters flew air missions in support of ground troops. This is the last deployment that the unit will be flying F-16s. The 174th is due to begin transitioning to the Reaper unmanned, armed aircraft later this year and is expected to be operational with the new unit in 2010.

4 Aug, 2008

FORT MONTGOMERY, N.Y. - Ten Military Emergency Boat Service (MEBS) patrol boats from New York’s Naval Militia form a tactical formation training column on the Hudson River just south of the Bear Mountain Bridge, Orange County, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2008. The Naval Militia recently received its tenth boat to assist in maritime security for New York State in conjunction with other civil maritime authorities and was on the Hudson River for the day to perform multi-boat practice operations such as open-water radio communications and naval intercept/intrusion drills to prevent civilian boat traffic from entering restricted areas. So far this year, MEBS has participated in various state-wide naval operations to include the U.S. Navy “Fleet Week” in New York City, 4th of July on the East River and has recently assisted the U.S Border Patrol on Lake Champlain.

30 Jul, 2008

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presents a leader�s challenge coin to New York Army National Guard Spc. Jason DeFazio from the 27th Brigade Combat Team and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 11. Mullen conducted a six-day tour of the region to visit troops and host a USO contingent including NFL All-Pros Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, and Osi Umenyiora, defensive end for the New York Giants, as well as the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Members of CJTF Phoenix provided a transportation team to support Mullen during his time in Kandahar. Among the troops tasked with the transportation assignment were Spc. Joe Adle, Spc. Jason Defazio, Spc. Gary Dennis, Spc. Douglass Moore. Spc. Edward Nickles, Spc. James Penlon, Spc. Stephanie Wolfanger, Sgt. Michael McGrath, Sgt. Darren Ringler, Sgt. Steven Watt, Staff Sgt. Maurice Edwards, Staff Sgt.Fred Fah, Tech. Sgt. Dennis Marks and Lt. Cdr Edward Ferguson. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley.

28 Jul, 2008

ROUSES POINT, N.Y. - Petty Officer 1st Class Donald Heart of the New York Naval Militia directs boaters coming from Canada into the U.S. to an inspection dock at Lake Champlain. The New York Naval Militia will be assisting U.S. Border Patrol Agents throughout the summer as part of "Mission Lake Champlain".

17 Jul, 2008

FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Private Andrew C. McMillan (on ground) from Kingston, and Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Marimow from Peekskill, react to an IED during convoy live fire training on July 16. Both soldiers are members of the 1156th Engineer Company, with the 204th Engineer Battalion. About 300 members of the battalion are training on battle tasks and engineer tasks at Fort Drum.

14 Jul, 2008

Sgt.1st Class Jeffrey Bailey and his wife Darlene talk with Education Care Manager Scott Kaczmarek from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation and their family members took part in the New York Army National Guard Reintegration Program Saturday July 12 in Buffalo. The Reintegration Program is an effort to help Soldiers and families cope with the stress of returning to civilian life after deployment. Soldiers from Co. B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment based in Rochester returned home May 31 following a ten-month tour in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

11 Jul, 2008

PLATEKILL, NY- Members of the New York Army National Guard?s Honor Guard prepare to lay to rest the remains of New York Army National Guard Sgt. Mark Palmateer, at the New Hurley Cemetery on July 11, while family, friends and fellow Soldiers look on. Sergeant Palmateer, of Poughkeepsie, and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, of Queens, were killed when their humvee struck an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Logar Province, eastern Afghanistan. Both men were assigned to B Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, which deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 27th Brigade Combat Team. Sgt. Palmateer had previously been assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, while Sgt. 1st Class McKay had been a member of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion. Sergeant First Class McKay was interred on July 10 at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale.

9 Jul, 2008

LATHAM, N.Y. - Sergeant Ed Rose, an electrical maintenance technician at Army Air Support Facility #3 checks "under the hood" of the UH-60 Firehawk for properly operating equipment while local news media looks on. The New York Army National Guard will be lending its specially-equipped fire-fighting aircraft to the state of California under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) which is an agreement between all 50 states and four territories to share emergency management duties. "In state government, we have a responsibility to protect our citizens. We also have the moral obligation to provide assistance to other states when the need arises. This is such a time." said New York State Governor David Paterson. The helicopter will be initially manned and operated by pilots and crew from the Florida National Guard in the absence of Firehawk trained New York pilots and crew who are training at Fort Sill, Okla. for a deployment to Iraq later this summer. The California Army National Guard will assume responsibility and cover all costs associated with New York's aircraft until after the fire season is over sometime in October, 2008.

7 Jul, 2008

A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle operated by a New York Army National Guard Police Mentoring Team from Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix lines up for a convoy movement from the Camp Phoenix Motor Pool. The team is commanded by CPT Richard Redmond from Utica and the NCO in charge is SFC Robert Marshall from Watertown. They are members of the 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard. About 1,700 members of the New York Army National Guard are deployed to Afghanistan training the Afghan National Army and Police. The MRAP vehicle offers increased survivability over the M-1114 armored humvee. The Army recently received its 10,000th MRAP.

5 Jul, 2008

Colonel Brian K. Balfe, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix,and the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team, leads 20 re-enlisting Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard in the oath of service from Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix, Kabul. The re-enlistment ceremony,and a five-kilometer fun-run marked The 4th of July events for Soldiers in Camp Phoenix, whose job is to train the Afghan National Army and Police.

1 Jul, 2008

ROCHESTER, N.Y. � More than fifteen minutes of fame came to Sgt. Stephen Tschiderer, 249th Air Ambulance Company, as he is interviewed by Frank Grimes, a contract video producer for The History Channel June 27. Tschiderer, who served as a medic with E Troop, 101st Cavalry under the 256th Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard, was deployed in 2004-2005 to Iraq. While deployed, he was shot by a sniper from a van. The sniper videotaped the attack and was surprised by Tschiderer when his protective body armor stopped the bullet resulting in Tschiderer and other members of Troop A pursuing and capturing the sniper and his accomplices. The interview will be part of The History Channel�s �Shock Wave� series and is expected to air sometime in the Fall.

1 Jul, 2008

The American flag flies at half-staff at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, June 30, as Soldiers line up to pay their respects to one Marine and three Army National Guard Soldiers who were killed in action on June 25 and June 26. Two New York Army National Guard Soldiers--Sgt. First Class Joseph McKay, aged 51 from Cambria Heights, Queens, and Spc. Mark Palmateer, aged 38, of Poughkeepsie-- were among three Soldiers killed on June 26. The 27th Brigade Combat Team of the New York Army National Guard is providing command and control for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a multi-national force training the Afghan Army and Police.

27 Jun, 2008

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jamie Green and Soldiers of the 466th Area Support Medical Company receive the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Distinguished Service Award from Michael Dowling, Chairman of HANYS? Board of Trustees and President and Chief Executive Officer of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. ?This award recognizes distinguished service, and we cannot imagine service more distinguished than putting your own life on the line to provide lifesaving medical care to a fallen comrade,? Dowling said. ?Over the past two years the Soldiers of this unit dove into this job,? Green described of the mobilization training and combat tour in southern Iraq. The company operated from four locations, treating and stabilizing patients, both U.S., coalition or Iraqi, before moving them on for more advanced care. ?They took command of what they needed to do and got it done,? Green said. A separate award was presented to National Guard Col. Dr. Joan Sullivan of Ithaca, for administering life-saving care to thousands of wounded, injured, and ill soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Sullivan accepted the award via video message from her current deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan--her second combat tour of duty overseas in the past five years. She was represented at the ceremony by her sister, Barbara Sullivan-Sicke of Lake Luzerne. ?I cannot adequately describe the pride she has in her fellow Soldiers,? Sullivan-Sicke said. ?We are truly inspired by their commitment to service, their commitment to their fellow Soldiers, and their commitment to our nation,? Dowling said. ?There are no better friends to a wounded Soldier than the 466th and Colonel Sullivan, and we believe their sacrifice should not go unnoticed.? ?I want to thank you and the hospitals you represent for being such a tremendous training ground for the National Guard,? Green said to the conference attendees. ?Our Guard medical personnel come from your civilian hospitals and they performed with a level of experience and maturity unmatched anywhere. It is to your credit and I appreciate everything you?ve don in this honor to our Soldiers.?

27 Jun, 2008

Afghanistan's only female general officer, Brigadier General Khatol Mohammad Zai, prays before a "Fallen Warrior" Memorial during a ceremony held June 27 in Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan to remember four fallen Marines and four fallen Soldiers. Three New York Army National Guard Soldiers--Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, Sgt. Rodriguez-Rameriz, and Spc. Anthony Mangano-- were mong those recognized during the event. The three New York National Guard Soldiers, and an active component officer, were killed June 21 when an improvised explosive device attacked their vehicle near Khandahar.

26 Jun, 2008

Gov. David A. Paterson rocognizes NYS Army National Guardsman Maj. Dennis I. Martinez with the Joint Force Headquarters' Military Intelligence in Latham during his promotion cerenony on June 24 at the State Capital in Albany. Martinez is employed as a trooper with the New York State Police in his civilian career, working as part of Governor Paterson's security detail. (Released)

26 Jun, 2008

Pfc. Matthew B. Gatta with the 206th Military Police Battalion from Latham climbs into the new M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) during MPs training at the Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany on June 25, 2008. (Released)

24 Jun, 2008

JONES BEACH, N.Y. - Major John D. McElroy and Master Sgt. Jules Roy greet on-lookers who came to the 2008 Jones Beach Air Show after finishing their aerial rescue demonstration. The two para-rescue jumpers of the 103rd Rescue Squadron represented the 106th Rescue Wing by performing a para-rescue demonstration in front of record crowds during the air show at Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, N.Y. The 106th shared the sky with the Navy's Blue Angels, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and an Air Force F-22 Raptor Fighter Aircraft. A record 506,000 visitors attended the two day event.

23 Jun, 2008

KINGSTON, N.Y. - New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, at left, Commander of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command, presents Army Commendation Medals to Spc. Michael Taylor and Spc. Kristen Walker of the 104th Military Police Battalion Headquarters at their Kingston armory on Sunday June 22. The Soldiers, their families, and Kingston-area community gathered for the unit's formal welcome-home Freedom Salute Ceremony to honor the troops for their successful overseas deployment to Iraq from June 2007 until March of 2008. Photo by Maj. James Zucker (RELEASED).

20 Jun, 2008

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Chief Warrant Officer James "Jim" Hall answers questions about the UH-1V Helicopter during the Seventh Annual Rochester Wings event on Saturday June 14. Hall is a pilot with the 249th Medical Company, (Air Ambulance). "Hosting this event is fun and it's a great way to get the word out about the National Guard" said Hall. Attendees were able to view vintage and military aircraft, talk to pilots and crew members and even climb inside the planes and helicopters. Free plane rides were available to children through the Young Eagle Program as well as seminars on a variety of aviation related topics. The Army National Guard partnered with Monroe County, the Greater Rochester International Airport, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to sponsor this event.

18 Jun, 2008

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Army National Guard Soldiers load supplies bound for Afghanistan on June 16. Sixth Grade students from Sand Creek Middle School collected school supplies and clothing for the children of Afghanistan. The supplies will be shipped to Afghanistan and be distributed by New York Army National Guard Soldiers in the 27th Brigade Combat Team.

17 Jun, 2008

FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, prepare to sling load an M-102 105-mm howitzer during annual training. The National Guard artillerymen conducted live fire training following the air assault exercise, June 16.

16 Jun, 2008

COLONIE, NY -- Donald Bowman, Niverville, NY completes the Family Readiness Council 5K "Hometown Heroes Run" on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Bowman is the spouse of Master Sgt. Kimberly Bowman, a recruiting supervisor with the 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, NY. The couple participated in the run to help raise money to support families of deployed troops.

13 Jun, 2008

Mr. Christopher Morton, Assistant Curator for the New York State Military History Museum and Veteran's Research Center, places the Medal of Honor on display in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on June 13. The Civil War Medal was earned by Private Richard Beddows who served with an artillery battery of New York Volunteers in 1864. His bravery under fire to recover his unit colors, also on display at the museum, was recognized by the Army and the nation in 1896. The medal is on loan from Michael Resnick, a Long Island resident and descendent of Pvt. Beddows.

13 Jun, 2008

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Mike Mallin (center), a member of the 27th Brigade Combat Team, cuts the ribbon at the new $14 million Helmand Provice Afghan Police station on May 27. Mallin, originally assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division and a police officer in civilian life, is the senior mentor to the Helmand Provincial Police Chief. Mallin and other members of the 27th BCT are part of Regional Police Advisory Command-South working in Helmand province in conjunction with the British Army. Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior and Police and local community leaders attended the ceremony

12 Jun, 2008

ALBANY N.Y. - Female members of the New York Army and Air National Guard and women veterans of World War II stand with Assemblyman Darryl Towns, an Air Force veteran, and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Women Veterans, on the steps of the New York State Capitol. The women veterans and military members were honored on Women Veterans Day June 12. The female servicemembers were saluted for their service by the Assembly Subcommittee and were present in the Assembly Chamber during the adoption of two legislative resolutions honoring female military members and veterans.

10 Jun, 2008

An F-16C assigned to the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing vaults into the sky from Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse early on the morning of June 10. The Air Guard Fighting Falcons are bound for Iraq where they will be stationed in support of ground troops. This is the last rotation with F-16s for the 174th Fighter Wing. The unit will transition to the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper attack aircraft when they return from the deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

10 Jun, 2008

The crew of New York Naval Militia Patrol Boat 440 prepare to dock at Schodack Island State Park during a training mission on the Hudson River on June 2, 2008. The crew of the boat, the most modern in the Naval Militia inventory, took the boat from New York harbor, where it normally operates in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, to the Port of Albany and back to familiarize themselves with the river. The Naval Militia, an element of the New York State Military Forces which conducts maritime operations, has 12 boats that can provide support to civil authorities and conduct security missions on New York waterways. Members of the Naval Militia belong to the Navy, Marine and Coast Guard reserves and agree to do state duty as well. PB 440 is routinely used to ferry United States Coast Guard boarding crews to cargo vessels waiting to enter New York harbor. Coming upriver gives the crew a chance to practice their skilsl and familiarize themselves with a different operating area if they needto conduct missions there, explained Commander Don McKnight, the Office-in-Charge of the Naval Militia's Military Emergency Boat Service.

9 Jun, 2008

LATHAM, N.Y. - Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation board a bus on June 9 to leave for Fort Sill, Okla., where they will train for a 10-month deployment to Balad, Iraq. The 142nd consisting of the Latham-based unit, a Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based unit and a company sized unit from Missouri will conduct air transportation operations in support of Multi-National Corps Iraq as part of the 34th Aviation Brigade, an element of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

6 Jun, 2008

LATHAM, N.Y. -- The first five of ten UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation head out in flying formation from the Latham Army Aviation Support Facility #3 on their way to Fort Sill, Okla. Approximately 40 pilots and crew-members bid final farewells to family and were rendered salutes by other aviation Soldiers. The 142nd Aviation will train-up at Fort Sill for about two months before leaving for Iraq.

5 Jun, 2008

Airmen from the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing board a charter plane taking them to Iraq on Wednesday, June 4. New York National Guard Commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General, and New York Air National Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Knauff, along with wing leaders, shook the hands of the airmen as they headed up the ramp at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. Airmen from the 174th will provide the F-16 fighterbomber component of an Air Expeditionary Force operating in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

4 Jun, 2008

Cohoes, NY -- Cohoes High School student Kourtney Hebert tries on Individual Body Armor or IBA belonging to Staff Sgt. Karin Coons of the 42nd Infantry Division in Troy, NY. The Cohoes High School toured the new exhibit at the Cohoes Visitors Center which highlights the accomplishments of area women who have served in the military and are currently serving in the New York Army and Air National Guard. The exhibit is sponsored by The Spindle City Historic Society of Cohoes and Cohoes Remembers Vets with the assistance of the New York National Guard and the Foundation of New York State Nurses. The exhibit illustrates the opportunities afforded to women in the military and reveals the contributions made through their military service as camp followers, in the Army and Navy Nurse Corps, National Guard and Women?s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS). The exhibit will be available for view at the Cohoes Visitor?s Center, 58 Remsen Street, the ground floor of the Cohoes Music Hall from June 3 ? 27, 2008; hours are 11am to 4pm, Tuesday through Friday. There is a special evening showing from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday June 5, 2008.

2 Jun, 2008

Staff Sergeant Nikolas Isler, his wife Alison and step-daughter Giana share a long awaited hug as he returns from a 10-month Afghanistan deployment with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation. The unit, which operates CH-47 Chinook helicopters returned home Saturday, May 31 after a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

29 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Spc. Jeremy Singer from Oneida, N.Y. (Right) greets Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York, at the Camp Phoenix Dining Facility in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 29. Taluto is on a week-long trip to Afghanistan, along with New York National Guard Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt to met with New York Army National Guard Soldiers operating there. Hough is assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 27th Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII.

28 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Brian Coons, speaks to Mohamed Faroq ? one of the Khvajeh Ghar Village spokesmen ? to gather sewer, water, electric, academics, and trash data relating to the town. Coons, with the New York Army National Guard?s 106th Regional Training Institute, planned the early morning mission. ?It helps to search out the village elders first,? said Coons, 42, from Pine Plains, N.Y. ?It sets a positive tone for the relationship.

27 May, 2008

Specialist Eugene Corbett, from Webster, NY, a mechanic assigned to Company B, 427th Support Battalion based in Rochester,works on a ball joint on an M1151 Uparmored Humvee at Camp Phoenix, Kabul Afghanistan. Corbett is one of 1,700 New York Army National Guard soldiers deployed as part of Combined Joint Task force Phoenix VII. The Task force is training Afghan National Army and Police members as part of Operation Enduring Freedom

22 May, 2008

At more than 7,000 feet above sea level, members of CJTF Phoenix VII look forward to climbing Ghar Mountain at the Kabul Military Training Center. Holding the American Flag on the peak of Ghar Mountain on May 9 (from left) is Spc. Raymond Persons, Spc. Bill Rose and Staff Sgt. James Waleski from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 427th Support Battalion. Courtesy photo.

22 May, 2008

Members of the New York Military Forces Honor Guard stand at attention while the bugler plays "Taps" during the New York National Guard's annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 22. Since Sept. 11, 2001, 23 members of the New York Army National Guard have died while on duty in Iraq. During the ceremony. Brigadier General Michael Swezey, the commander of the 53rd Troop Command, urged the audience of Soldiers and civilian employees to "Never Forget" their colleagues who have made the supreme sacrifice.

19 May, 2008

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Col. Fred Cheney (left) the 447th Air Expeditionary Group commander, passes the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's guide on to New York Air National Guardsman Lt. Col. Carey Merritt, the 447 ECES commander, during a change of command ceremony held on May 10. Merritt is deployed from the 174th Mission Support Group, New York Air National Guard, where he commands the 174th's Civil Engineering Squadron. Sather Air Base, located alongside Baghdad International Airport is named after Staff Sgt. SCott Sather, the first Airman to die during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

15 May, 2008

LATHAM, N.Y. ? Major General Joseph Taluto (left), commander of the New York National Guard and Rear Adm. Timothy Sullivan, commander of the 1st Coast Guard District exchange signatures on an official memorandum of agreement on May 14 that will provide a New York Army National Guardsmen from the Guard?s Counter-Drug program to work in conjunction with the Coast Guard in their Staten Island, N.Y. intelligence center

12 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Justin Koers, a member of the six man Police Mentoring Team, plays with the local Afghan children in Dandar village, located in the Kohe Safi district, May 8. The PMT goes around the Parwan province helping the local Afghan National Police train as part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. Koers is from the Guard's Company A, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry from Geneseo, N.Y. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessica Dahlberg (RELEASED).

9 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Linda Nosbisch, from Lancaster, N.Y., is a military mom currently serving with Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Kabul Afghanistan. Nobisch has 10 years of military service as a Chaplain Assistant. She supervises all the chaplain assistants for the task force. Her oldest son is on active duty at Eglin AFB, Florida and her younger son is serving in the New York Air National Guard. ?Those who put on the uniform of our country show tremendous self-sacrifice and service to others,? said Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, The Adjutant General for the State of New York. ?I can think of no better group of military women more deserving of our military family?s praise than those serving women who balance their careers as Soldiers or Airmen and mothers for their children. They are heroes in their families, in their communities and deserve that recognition across our great state and our nation,? Taluto said. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning. (RELEASED)

6 May, 2008

Col Kevin Bradley (left) the new commander of the New York Air National Guard's 174th Fighter Wing, puts his name on the "wing plane" as outgoing commander Col. Anthony Basile removes his. Bradley, the vice commander of the Syracuse-based F-16 Wing since 2003, took over from Basile during a May 4 ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base. The 174th will deploy F-16 fighters to Iraq later this year but will soon begin phasing out the planes and begin operating the Reaper, an armed version of the Predator UAV. Basile is moving on to new duties with New York Air National Guard Headquarters and is slated to become the Commander of the New York Air National when current commander Major General Robert Knauff retires in 2009.

6 May, 2008

A Soldier assigned to the New York Army National Guard's 104th Military Police Battalion, based in Kingston, NY, speaks with a NYARNG provider during a re-integration event held at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel, White Plains, N.Y., April 19.

4 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Pvt Shawn Straub, of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery, stands wwatch as a security force during a joint New York National Guard/ Fire Department New York training exercise held May 3 at the Fire Training Academy on Randall's Island. Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, and the all-volunteer New York Guard, teamed up with FDNY to practice the skills they would employ jointly in extracting victims from a building hit be a terrorist attack or a suspect explosion. More than 500 members of the New York National Guard took part in the exercise which ran from May 2 to May 4.

4 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Dennis Deeley coordinates the confined space extraction of casualties with incident commander Chief Don Hayde from the New York City Fire Department?s Special Operations Command during a joint interagency training event May 3 between the FDNY and the New York National Guard at the FDNY?s fire training academy on Randall?s Island in New York. The daylong training exercise involved the joint interagency response to potential Hazardous Material or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or High Explosive (CBRNE) incident anywhere in the City of New York. The New York National Guard deployed and trained the state?s 2nd Civil Support Team (CST) and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP). Deeley, commander of the Guard?s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, leads the CERFP response force that includes search and extraction specialists, a decontamination team and medical triage element. The CERFP search and extraction team, Army National Guard engineers from the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Lockport, N.Y. trained side-by-side with urban search and rescue experts from the FDNY rescue team. About 500 total Soldiers, Airmen and volunteers of the New York Guard participated in the training. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg (RELEASED).

2 May, 2008

New York Army National Guard Pvt Shawn Straub, of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery, stands wwatch as a security force during a joint New York National Guard/ Fire Department New York training exercise held May 3 at the Fire Training Academy on Randall's Island. Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, and the all-volunteer New York Guard, teamed up with FDNY to practice the skills they would employ jointly in extracting victims from a building hit be a terrorist attack or a suspect explosion. More than 500 members of the New York National Guard took part in the exercise which ran from May 2 to May 4.

1 May, 2008

Pvt. First Class James Bach, an engineer with the 1156th Engineer Company, New York Army National Guard works to finish a picnic table for the children of St. Mary?s orphanage in the town of Tacarigua, Trinidad as part of Operation Beyond the Horizon 2008; a joint nation, joint service humanitarian mission composed of elements from the Army, Army National Guard and Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Seabees and Marines April 28, 2008. The engineers are also building a school and a medical clinic for the children of the orphanage.

30 Apr, 2008

In this painting from the National Guard historical series, members of the 1st Aero Company, New York National Guard, return from the first mass flight--12 JN-4"Jenny" aircraft-- in U.S. history from Mineola, Long Island to Princeton, N.J. and back, that was conducted Nov. 18-19, 1916. The descendants of the 1st Aero Company, the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, is based on Long Island today, flying air rescue missions out of Francis Gabreski Airport; the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. The 1st Aero Company was organized as an Signal Corps observation balloon company by the New York National Guard on 30 April, 1908. One hundred soldiers gathered in the 71st Regiment Armory in New York City eventually formed the company, which in 1915 switched from balloons to airplanes.

29 Apr, 2008

Members of the 105th Airlift Wing's Aerial Port Squadron and 137th Loadmasters upload a Case International Harvester QuadTrack onto a C-5A Galaxy. This specialized vehicle will be used by the U.S. National Science Foundation in support of operations based in Greenland.

28 Apr, 2008

A New York Army National Guard Soldier competes in the .22 Caliber "Bullseye" Pistol event during the 29th Annual The Adjutant General's Combat Rifle, Sniper, Pistol and Light Machine Gun Championships Match or "TAG Matches" at Camp Smith, Peekskill, N.Y. on April 26. This year, more than 100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines throughout New York as well as those from neighboring states participate in the matches.

26 Apr, 2008

Col. Brian Balfe, the commander of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team receives the Brigade colors from Major General Robert Cone, commander of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan during Transition of Authority (TOA) ceremonies on Saturday, April 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Balfe took command of Combined Joint Task Force Phoneix, a international task force with the mission of training the Afghan Army and police from Brig. Gen. Robert E. Livingston of the South Carolina Army National CJTF-Phoneix includes members from 22 NATO nations and all four United States Military Services.

24 Apr, 2008

Members of the New York Army National Guard's 1427th Medium Truck Company inspect their trucks before departing for Annual Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama on April 24. The company is part of the 501st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion which also includes an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company and an MP company. The New York Citizen Soldiers will spend their 21-day Annual Training period practicing convoy operations and anti-IED techniques. The convoy staged at Stratton Air National Guard Base, home of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia, New York.

22 Apr, 2008

A New York Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk dumps 660 gallons of water from a "Bambi Bucket" on a wild fire raging in Minnewaska State Park, Ulster County, New York on April 21. The fire, which erupted on Thursday, April 17, consumed 3,100 acres, making it the largest such fire in New York in 13 years. Army National Guard aviation assets responded to a State Emergency Management Office request for assistance on Saturday, April 19, when one Blackhawk helicopter flew 37 water dump missions. On Sunday April 20, and Monday April 21, two Blackhawks responded, flying 14 water missions each day. A New York Army National Guard OH-58 recon helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging device was also used to identify fire hot spots for targeted drops. Helicopters from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Police also participated in the fire-fighting mission.

21 Apr, 2008

New York Army National 2nd Lt. Oyeyemi Daramola, the Quick Reaction Force platoon leader for Team Airport, based at John F. Kennedy International Airport, gives members of the team's Quick Reaction Force a safety briefing prior to loading trucks and moving to the JFK airport during a quick reaction drill rehearsal at the Empire Shield Headquarters April 20, 2008. New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Empire Shield, provide security assistance to the Port Authority Police at JFK and LaGuardia Airports in New York City.

19 Apr, 2008

New York Army National Guard Soldiers from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation encounter a barbed-wire obstacle at Fort Drum's Combat Life Saver practical course on April 17. The Soldiers were timed as a group while transporting a "dummy" injured Soldier through a wire entanglement. The obstacle course is at the completion of the Soldiers Combat Life Saver training. The 3-142nd Soldiers are traing at Fort Drum to prepare for a deployment to Iraq this summer.

18 Apr, 2008

Staff Sergeant Steven Hughes from Co. B, 642nd Aviation, New York Army National Guard, validates a known point on the Fort Drum compass course during Annual Training at Fort Drum. Hughes was checking the course to ensure that Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, were getting accurate readings when they negotiated the course. The Soldiers of 3-142nd Aviation are training at Fort Drum until April 24 to prepare mobilization and deployment to Iraq this summer.

15 Apr, 2008

Staff Sgt. Stephen Manley, a Northeast Air Defense Sector Security Force member returning from deployment, smiles at his daughter Morgan at the Syracuse International Airport March 14. In the unit's largest deployment ever, nearly 30 security force members deployed on a six-month tour to Manas Air Base, located in Kyrgyzstan, in September 2007.

14 Apr, 2008

40 Members of the Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters and R.S.P. (Recruit Sustainment Program) recieve an orientation flight on a New York Air National Guard C-130 aircraft, 12 April, 2008. The aircrew, members of the 109th Airlift Wing, familiarized the soldiers with flight procedures and operations. The round-trip flight passed over the Whiteface Mountains and Burlington Vermont before returning to Latham, NY.

12 Apr, 2008

Sgt. Garvin Berry of Company B, 642nd Aviation Support Battalion assists Sgt. Michael Broderick, a member of Company E 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation with aiming a M-203 grenade launcher down range for maximum effect at Fort Drum's Range 17-A. Members of the battalion are training at Fort Drum through April 25 as preparation for a deployment to Iraq later this summer. The 3rd-142nd Aviation, which has elements based in Latham, Albany County, and at Ronkonkoma on Long Island, will provide transportation support for Multi-National Corps-Iraq during a tne month deployment.

11 Apr, 2008

The Division of Military and Naval Affairs held their first Diversity day on April 8, 2008 with a special performance from �Too Deep�, a theater group from Albany N.Y. dedicated to education and entertainment for the community through dramatic presentations. Diversity day is an event focused on increasing awareness about differences as well as similarities that make us all unique. Celebrateing diversity allows us to work better as a team. Over 100 DMNA employees attended the event.

10 Apr, 2008

Members of New York's 27th Brigade Combat Team exit an Air Force C-17 Transport Aircraft that has brought them to Kabul International Airport April 7, 2008. The 27th BCT has been assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII and is expected to spend aproximately ten months on the ground in Afghanistan training the Afghan army.

6 Apr, 2008

Retired Brig. Gen. Frank Cardile (left) congratulates retired New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Dennis M. Richardson after presenting Richardson with the Air Force Cross on April 5 at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. Richardson was awarded the medal, the Air Force's second highest award for valor, because of his actions during a March 1968 mission to rescue downed Airmen in Vietnam. Col. Michael F. Canders, 106th Rescue Wing Commander, is at right. Cardile, who flew on the rescue mission that Richarson was honored for, praised his heroism and steadfastness under fire. During the mission Richardson stood exposed in the door of an HH-53 "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter to fight off North Vietnamese troops who were attempting to board the helicopter.

3 Apr, 2008

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Dr. Steven P. Bucci (left) meets with New York Army National Guard Sergeant Linda Liautaud (center) and Spc. Jean Johnson (right) from Task Force Empire Shield, the state's homeland security standing task force in Manhattan's Grand Central Station rail terminal on Wednesday, April 2. Dr. Bucci, who overseas Department of Defense policy issues regarding Domestic Counter Terrorism and National Guard operational issues, was in New York to meet with state Office of Homeland Security officials, representatives of the New York City Police Department Counter Terrorism leaders and members of the National Guard's Civil Support Team and homeland security elements in lower Manhattan. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Joseph Sullivan (RELEASED)

31 Mar, 2008

Major General Joseph Taluto, New York State Adjutant General views a partially restored New York battle flag during his visit to the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation at Peebles Island, Waterford, N.Y. on March 28. Looking on at right is Carol Ash, director, New York State Office of Parks and Recreation.

27 Mar, 2008

The Color Guard of the 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, leads the way as 1400 Afghanistan-bound Soldiers conduct a review as part of farewell ceremonies March 27 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Nearly 1800 family members and friends turned out for the ceremony that climaxes the unit's training. The New York Soldiers will be responsible for training the Afghan National Army and Police during their ten-month tour in Afghanistan.

20 Mar, 2008

Twelve hundred Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard?s 27th Brigade Combat Team form the Brigade?s Orion shoulder patch insignia as they complete training for deployment to Afghanistan in April. The picture, taken on March 19 2008, echoes a photograph that 10,000 members of the New York National Guard?s 27th Division, the ancestor of the 27th BCT, posed for on March 19, 1918, prior to the division?s embarkation for France in World War I. The division and now the brigade, took it's name from Major General John F. O'Ryan the divison commander. The star's in the patch represent the constellation Orion, while the combined letters stand for New York Divison (NYD). The Soldiers of the 27th BCT will become the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII responsible for training the Afghan National Army and Police. The brigade will hold its departure ceremony at Fort Bragg, N. C. on March 27.

19 Mar, 2008

1st Lieutenant Shawn Tabankin and members of Company C, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry present honors as they approach Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on March 17, 2008. The Citizen Soldiers of "The Fighting 69th" attended the morning mass to receive the blessing of New York Cardinal Edward Egan before marching up Fifth Avenue in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. The New York Army National Guard infantry battalion has led the city parade on Saint Patrick's Day for more than 150 years. U.S. Army Photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg (RELEASED)

18 Mar, 2008

An aircrew member on the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, aircraft from the 552nd Air Control Wing based at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., briefs Rome Fire Department Chief Roger Sabia about the AWACS mission Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

14 Mar, 2008

KINGSTON, N.Y - The familiar marching cadance --"Marching down the avenue. One more day and we?ll be through"-- came true on 13 March as approximately 70 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 104th Military Police Battalion were dropped off in front of Kingston High School and paraded down Broadway Avenue to the Midtown Neighborhood Center were they held their welcome home ceremony. The unit was deployed early last summer to Camp Bucca, Iraq, where they ran a detention facility.

5 Mar, 2008

New York Army National Guard Spc. Daniel Wiwczar from Kings Park, N.Y. lubricates his M240B machinegun from his gunner�s position on a humvee March 1, 2008 at Forward Operating Base Patriot on Fort Bragg, N.C. Wiwczar is assigned to Security Force Detachment C, part of the 27th Brigade Combat Team's preparations for deployment as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. The troops in the security force formed from the Bayshore-based company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, the Army's famed "Fighting 69th." The task force will deploy to Afghanistan later this spring to mentor and train Afghan national army and police forces.

28 Feb, 2008

ROME - Raven Fallon, 8, performs a railslide during the second annual Combat Skate Jam hosted by the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and the Rome Weed and Seed at the Rome armory February 22, 2008. The event was free to kids of all ages to learn about the dangers of drugs and compete in a skate board competition for prizes. The New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force works with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in an effort to combat drugs in New York State. As part of the support to these agencies, the Counterdrug Task Force receives a share of forfeited monies from apprehended drug dealers to be used for community activities. Part of the seizure money was used to purchase a mobile skate park that was used during the skate jam and can be transported to communities across the state throughout the year. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter K. Towse (RELEASED)

28 Feb, 2008

Wade Ingalls and son Tyler, age 15, drove 70 miles from Lafargeville, N.Y. to get a look at the #88 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. race car sposored by the National Guard. The race car was part of the New York Army National Guard Open House at the Thompson Road Armory in Syracuse on Sunday February 24. The armory is home to the Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team, currently mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and preparing to deploy this spring as the lead command and control element for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. The unit will train and mentor Aghan army and police forces. In addition to the NASCAR race car, the unit also displayed Army National Guard vehicles and equipment. Soldiers shared their Guard experiences with members of the media and the public as well as new and prospective recruits. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott (RELEASED).

25 Feb, 2008

Welcome to the premiere issue of the Guard Times news magazine. The Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs staff has redesigned our command information publication to better feature our New York State Military Forces. Our goal is to better tell the stories of all our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and New York Guard volunteers. The Guard Times will be published quarterly, providing you with a highlight of operations, training and missions across the State of New York and around the world. Your four issues each year will make a yearbook of events from the entire New York National Guard. After announcing our transition last fall and the retirement of the Guard Times military forces newspaper, we asked for submissions to rename our new publication. Your input was both fun and creative, with many names keeping to our National Guard theme or the nicknames so common to our Empire State. In the end, we chose to keep the Guard Times name because it is so well known throughout our force and maintains our ties to the past. Besides, we all really like the whole gt logo for brand identity!

22 Feb, 2008

Family members of New York National Guard Soldiers gathered at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, N.Y. on Feb. 22 to look on as Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, Adjutant General, signs the Army National Guard Family Covenant presented by the New York National Guard Family Readiness Program office. Seated from right are: Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Van Pelt, Taluto, Mrs. Susan Taluto and Debbie Van Pelt. Standing from right are: Sherry Imbarrato, Kevin Swint, Erica Swint holding Kevin Swint Jr., Andrea Seeger holding Rachel Seeger, Shauna Simmons, Cindy Casey, Nicole Ross holding Jordan Ross, Linda Somersall and Mary Stewart.

22 Feb, 2008

The New York National Guard introduces the Guard Times News Magazine for 2008. Following our call for new publication name submissions, our editorial staff decided to retain the original Guard Times name so familiar with out thousands of readers across the state. The magazine will be produced quarterly and this premiere issue for the winter of 2008 should be delivered to the homes of New York Army and Air National Guard servicemembers in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you may read the most current issue here at www.dmna.state.ny.us/gdtimes/gdtimes.php

21 Feb, 2008

Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General, hands the colors of the New York Naval Militia to Naval Militia Commander Major General Robert Wolf, while Naval Militia Command Master Chief Robert Clark looks on, during Change of Command Ceremonies held Feb. 15 at the State University of New York Maritime College in New York City. New York State Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni (rear) was also present. The New York Naval Militia is one of four components of New York?s Military Forces along with the New York Army and Air National Guard and the all-volunteer New York Guard, New York's State Defence Force.

21 Feb, 2008

Members of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team prepare to depart their Forward Operating Base at Fort Bragg, N.C. for predeployment convoy training on Feb 20, 2008. The Soldiers are part of more than 1,400 troops from the brigade supporting Operation Enduring Freedom later this spring. The troops will deploy and provide mentoring and training for Afghan army and police forces as part of the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Smith (RELEASED).

19 Feb, 2008

Master Sgt. David Morrison, a member of the Stratton Air National Guard Base Medical Clinic staff, gives a hepatitis A vaccination to an Albanian Child during a medical assistance visit to that country, Feb. 10-16. Morrison and four other medical technicians from the New York Air National Guard?s 109th Airlift Wing spent three days in Albania instructing Albanian Army medics on vaccination procedures, while giving shots to 1,000 Albanian children as part of the National Guard?s State Partnership Program. That program partners state National Guard's with other nation's militaries.

15 Feb, 2008

Specialist Brian Herbig, an MP with the 222nd Military Police company, receives the Army Commendation Medal from his commander, 1st Lt. Monique Barnhart while his mother looks on during the unit's Freedom Salute Ceremony February 10, 2008 in Auburn, NY. The Military Police Soldiers conducted a variety of convoy security and military law enforcement missions in and around Baghdad. The 222nd MP Co. was tasked with the Police Transition Team's mission in the Karrada District of Baghdad.

13 Feb, 2008

The African-American Soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment Harlem Hellfighters charge into the hell of the Argonne Forest in September 1917 as they advance to capture the French village of Sechault, in this painting from the U.S. Army History Series. The unit?s heroism in this battle won the men of the former New York National Guard?s 15th Infantry Regiment the unit Croix de Guerre, the highest unit award in the French Army. ?My men never retire, they go forward or they die,? said Colonel William Hayward, the regiment?s commander. The traditions of the 369th Infantry Regiment are recalled during Black History Month by the men and women of the New York Army National Guard?s 369th Sustainment Brigade.

13 Feb, 2008

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Jeffrey Dorvee looks out from his gunner's perch at the winter landscape of Afghanistan in January, 2008. Dorvee is part of the 27th Brigade's Embedded Training Team that serves alongside Afghan national army forces as mentors and trainers.

13 Feb, 2008

New York Army National Guard Spc. Thomas Kovacs meets with local Afghan children during a mission in January, 2008 with the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix Embedded Training Team. Kovacs deployed with 16 other National Guard Soldiers from the 27th Brigade Combat Team to mentor, train and support Afghan national army soldiers.

10 Feb, 2008

Roberta Basile (left) a contract optometrist, positions a prescription eyeglass device in front of Pfc. Bryan Novak, 133rd Quarter Master Company, Feb. 9 during a preliminary Soldiers Readiness Check at the Department of Military and Naval Affairs building in Latham, New York. Novak was one of approximately 250 Soldiers to go through the preliminary physical examinations in preparation for a possible deployment with 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation in the near future.

8 Feb, 2008

Staff Sgt. Gulmar Parga, a Squad Leader in the New York Army National Guard's Security Force, Detachment C, stands behind Cpl. Gerald Munroe as his squad prepares to move to a training objective during battle drill rehearsals at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Patriot, Fort Bragg, NC. The Guard Soldiers are training for deployment to Afghanistan later this spring as part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, the training and mentoring team for the Afghan national army and police forces. The unit will conduct predeployment training until March.US Army Photo by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning. (RELEASED)

6 Feb, 2008

The New York State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto addresses Armory Officers In Charge from New York Army National Guard armories during a training conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The group met to review policies and procedures that support the nearly 10,000 member Army National Guard in approximately 60 armories and Soldier Readiness Centers across the state. "Management of these facilities is an extremely important responsibility that we have as an organization," Taluto told the group. "We are the stewards of state property and we have facilities out there that have to be closely managed and operated." A second training session was held for Armory Superintendants, state employees who oversee day-to-day maintenance and operations at the state facilities The New York Army National Guard has experienced a significant increase in new military construction in recent years, said Mr. Paul McDonald at the training. McDonald is the Division of Military and Naval Afair's Director of Facilities and Engineering. "I am very excited about the new construction and facility upgrades that bring our armories into the 21st Century," he said. "We owe our Soldiers state-of-the-art facilities for our Soldiers serving today and for the new Soldiers who will serve tomorrow." U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg (RELEASED).

4 Feb, 2008

Spc. Joshua Destevens of Oswego, N.Y. receives an encased American flag, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from his 466th Area Support Medical Company commander, Lt. Col. Richard Green during the unit Freedom Salute ceremony at the Glens Falls High School on Sunday, February 3, 2008. Congresswomen Kirsten Gillibrand, State Senator Elizabeth Little, community and National Guard senior leaders were on hand to recognize the 70 National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and their families from the 466th for their service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit returned home from Iraq in October 2007, after operating four separate medical treatment facilities across Iraq. During their year-long deployment, unit personnel completed more than 30,000 medical visits, ranging in patient care from minor aches, pains and illnesses to extremely serious battlefield injuries and trauma. More than 40,000 prescriptions were filled for patients in the 466th Medical Company facilities. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo. (RELEASED).

4 Feb, 2008

Members of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team erupt in joy as the New York Giants score the winning touchdown late in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl 42. The Soldiers enjoyed the game from inside a dining hall at Forward Operating Base Patriot, Fort Bragg, NC as the unit prepares for deployment overseas to train and mentor Afghan national army and police forces later this spring. The Guard Soldiers will lead Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan through the remainder of 2008. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning. (RELEASED)

30 Jan, 2008

Specialist David Tinker,a member of the New York Army National Guard from Herkimer,New York, checks the oil level of a humvee during morning preventative maintenance checks and services at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Patriot at Fort Bragg , North Carolina. Tinker and other members of the 27th Brigade Combat Team are conducting post-mobilization training at Fort Bragg prior to deploying to Afghanistan in April. The unit arrived at Fort Bragg on January 20 and is participating in �Theater Immersion Training� in which soldiers live on a FOB similar to the one they will be based at in Afghanistan. Soldiers wear body armor and carry weapons routinely. The training day begins at 5:30 in the morning and runs until 8 p.m.

28 Jan, 2008

New York Naval Militia Major General Robert Wolf, is congratulated by by Major General Joseph Taluto (left) the Adjutant General, following his promotion in the New York Naval Militia on Monday, Jan. 28. Major General Wolf, a retired Marine officer, is the commander of the Naval Militia, a force comprised of Navy and Marine Corps Reservists who volunteer to perform state duties. The New York Naval Militia is one of seven state naval defense forces and is the oldest in the United States .

28 Jan, 2008

The number 88 NASCAR driven by Dale Earnhart, Jr., the new NASCAR driver for the National Guard, makes a debut at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs drill shed floor Jan. 28 in Latham, N.Y. The New York Army National Guard?s Recruiting and Retention Command, Area 3, will have the race car on display at Upstate New York central region area towns of Stamford, Oneonta and Sidney Center until the end of January, 2008.

24 Jan, 2008

A KC-135R Stratotanker leaves her home with the New York Air National Guard?s 107th Air Refueling Wing in Niagara Falls for a new home with the 126th Air Refueling Wingof the Illinois Air National Guard,on Jan. 23. The aircraft served with the 107th ARW for 14 years. The departure begins a series of farewells the Guardsmen of the 107th will give to their aircraft as they convert to an airlift wing. Members of the unit have already begun retraining on C-130 aircraft. Under the reorganization plan the 197th will jointly operate 12 C-130 aircraft in conjunction with the Air Force Reserve?s 914th Airlift Wing. Both units share the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

23 Jan, 2008

Secretary of State Condolizza Rice greets members of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Air Refueling Wing at Sather Air Base in Baghdad Iraq, January 15, 2008. The Airmen are (from left) Lt. Col. Ken Anderson, Capt. Bryan Dalporto, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Rich King.

22 Jan, 2008

Soldiers from the 27th Brigade Combat Team of the New York Army National Guard board a charter plane at Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Army Army Airfield in the early morning hours of Jan. 20, 2008 en route to Fort Bragg, N.C. The Soldiers will spend approximately two months training at Fort Bragg in preparation for their ten-month tour of duty with Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan. The Soldiers will be training the Afghan National Army and Police.

18 Jan, 2008

January 17, 2008 - Specialist Joseph Barber (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Charles Young position and seal pallets on the floor of the Thompson Road Armory as they work to prepare the New York Army National Guard�s 27th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters for deployment to Afghanistan. Both Soldiers are assigned to the brigade�s Communication Section. Soldiers of the 27th BCT depart for Fort Bragg, North Carolina on January 20th for a two month train-up period before heading to Afghanistan. The brigade�s Soldiers will be responsible for training the Afghan National Army and Police during their deployment.

16 Jan, 2008

The Color Guard of the New York Army National Guard?s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stands at attention Jan. 16, during the unit?s send-off ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in North Syracuse, New York. The 27th BCT is deploying to Afghanistan to train the Afghan National Army and Police Force.

15 Jan, 2008

Mr. David Moose from the Harris Radio Company instructs Pvt. William Babineau, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, on the AN/PRC-150 Harris radio system inside a New York Army National Guard Humvee on the newest high-tech communications radio available to the New York Army National Guard. This communication innovation augments and adds a mobile capability to the long-standing VCR-100 ground-based system and the ARC-220 aircraft-based system. The Harris radio provides an Automatic Link Establishment to other networked Harris radios in a matter of seconds by finding an �open� frequency and �linking� the radios together. The Harris system is an external dipole antenna system hooked to a battery powered man pack capable of transmitting up to 1200 miles. When installed in a military vehicle with the power amplifier connected, it can transmit in excess of 3000 miles. The major advantage of having this combination of HF radio systems allows unit commanders to have long range command and control of battle operations working from either their ground vehicle, an aircraft or a base station.

14 Jan, 2008

Master Sgt. Jennifer Mahoney boards a New York Air National Guard 107th Refueling Wing KC-135R tanker January 4 as 27 members of the unit deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mahoney will be part of an Expeditionary Combat Support package for a Civil Engineering Squadron. More than 100 members of the 107 Refueling Wing, based at Niagara Air Force Reserve Station, will be deploying in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next few months.

11 Jan, 2008

Col. Michael Bobeck, the New York Army National Guard's State Aviation Officer, is interviewed by television reporter Riccardo Romani for a segment that aired on Sky TG24, an Italian cable news station. Bobeck's interview was part of a month-long series the network is doing called America 2008. Romani and his crew are traveling across the United States to share stories about America during the primary season. His goal, Romani said, is to let Italians know about typical Americans. The Italian TV crew visited Army Aviation Flight Support Facility Three in Latham on Jan. 10 and 11 to film Bobeck's interview, as well as members of 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation training for their deployment to Iraq in June. Romani said he wanted to include the New York National Guard in the story because it's part of the fabric of American and because the National Guard has played such an important role in America's military since 9/11. Bobeck discussed his service in Iraq, the National Guard's response to Hurricane Katrina, and how the National Guard has changed since the Cold War.

8 Jan, 2008

NASCAR champion road racer Boris Said and brakeman, National Guard Soldier Specialist Daniel Moreno, Watervliet, NY climb into thier bobsled during the third annual Bo-Dyn Bobsled Challenge at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg, US Olympic Sports complex on Saturday, January 5, 2008. Moreno is wearing the helmet former National Guard driver, Todd Bodine wore during the 2003 Winston Cup series.

4 Jan, 2008

New York Army National Guardsman Sgt. Kevin Krantz, a member of A Company of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, joined 60 Soldiers, Airmen and Marines in unfurling a 60 foot by 30 foot American flag prior to the New Year�s Day National Hockey League game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The over 7,000 fans who packing Buffalo's Ralph Williams Stadium on a snowy day, also watched a flyover from three UH-60 Blackhawks belonging to the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation, prior to the games start.

2 Jan, 2008

Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh N.Y. 15 October 2007. Members of the 105 Logistics Readiness Squadron's Aerial Port and 137 Airlift Squadron Loadmasters loading Pre-positioned Equipment onto a C-5A Galaxy. The 105th Airlift Wing in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Region II conducted a deployment exercise loading a C-5A Galaxy with FEMA's deployable Pre-positioned Equipment (PEP), which is used for protection, detection, decontamination, communications, and explosive ordnance disposal. The equipment is used in multiple environments and is specifically tailored to sustain and reconstitute local and state first responders sufficient for 72 hours of response and recovery. This is the first time this equipment has ever been loaded onto an airframe.