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Story by: New York Guard Warrant Officer Ubon Mendie - New York Guard Public Affairs
Dated: Wed, Mar 9, 2011
Ft. Hamilton -- The New York National Guard’s 24th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) received a new leader during a change of command ceremony, here, Wednesday, March 9. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Kaarlo Hietala relinquished command to Maj. Jody Lupo in a ceremony overseen by New York Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Anthony P. German, the New York Air National Guard chief of staff. “On behalf of Major General Murphy, I am here to commend these men for their service and bring in a new lead to a unit that helps us all sleep at night,” said German. Lupo, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and Bronze Star recipient, takes over after serving **** years as the specialized unit’s deputy commander. Hietala moves on to the J4 headquarters in Latham. “l am honored to have been selected to command the 24th CST, Lupo said, as he addressed those in attendance. As the commander of the 24th CST, I promise to uphold the value of mission first, Soldiers and Airmen always.”
“Maj. Lupo brings great experience to the unit,” German added. “I have no doubt he will do well.” Lupo hails from Farmingdale, New York. He graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1998 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology. Upon graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. In April of 2003, Major Lupo earned a Masters of Arts in the field of Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University. Lupo’s military education includes the Military Police Officers Basic Course, the Military Police Captains Career Course, and the Combined Arms Services Staff School, Civil Support Skills Course. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. Lupo is married and has two children. The 24th CST serves the New York City metro area. The team is comprised of 22 full time Army and Air National Guard professionals uniquely trained and equipped to respond to possible terrorist attacks or other events where chemical, biological, radiological or high yield explosive agents may have been used. On order, the unit will rapidly mobilize and deploy to communities to work for the civil authorities and civilian agencies to detect the presence of contamination, and identify them while also assisting with follow-on support. ###
