CONTACT: Eric Durr (518) 786-4581.

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The New York Army National Guard’s 501st Explosive Ordnance Battalion will vacate the Schenectady Armory and occupy new quarters in the new Armed Forces Reserve Center located at Schenectady County Airport in Scotia. The move from the armory, located at 125 Washington Ave, to the Armed Forces reserve center will put the Soldiers of the 501st in a new modern facility. The 206th MP Company, formerly headquartered in the Schenectady Armory, has already moved to a new facility constructed adjacent to New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. The Schenectady Armory was built in the 1930s. Historical items in the building will be removed to the New York State Military History Museum or transferred to the units’ new headquarters. “Our goal is to put our units in the most modern facilities available,” said Major General Joseph Taluto, the adjutant general and commander of the New York National Guard. The older armory buildings do not meet the needs of modern armed forces, Taluto added. The 501st EOD will share the new facility, which was formally opened on May 29 with the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve, which will operate the building. The Reserve components of the military are being urged to share facilities whenever possible to save money. By 1 August the Division of Military and Naval Affairs expects to be done with the armory. It will be turned over to the Office of General Services which will determine the next use of the building. Schenectady Community College has been using the building for its athletic program. The 501st EOD Battalion is a unique National Guard unit. The battalion headquarters unit is responsible for three different types of companies. These include: -The 1108th EOD Company; a small unit whose members are specially trained to deal with mines, unexploded bombs, and other types of demolitions. -The 1427th Medium Truck Company; a unit that hauls the supplies that keep Army forces fighting. -The 206 Military Police Company: MP companies are trained in law enforcement tasks, route and area security operations, and detainee operations. The 501st EOD Battalion Headquarters and the 1108th EOD Company will be located in the Armed Forces Reserve Center. The 1427th Medium Truck Company is based in Whitehall.