CONTACT: Eric Durr, (518) 786-4581,

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008

WHO:

53 members of the 206th Military Police Company, many of whom have served in Iraq.

WHAT:

LATHAM, NY Members of the Capitol Region media are being offered the opportunity to be transported by the National Guard to visit the New York State Office of Homeland Security's New York State Preparedness Training Center, in Oriskany, Oneida County, and observe Latham-base MPs conducting urban combat training and training with new MP armored vehicles.

WHEN:

Ground transportation would depart the Division of Military and Naval Affairs at 8:30 a.m. Return is anticipated between 2:30and 3 p.m. Time on the ground at the training site would be approximately two hours.

WHERE:

Press being transported meet at the DMNA Headquarters Building, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham NY 12110. Training site is located at 592 Hanger Road, Rome NY

To participate in this media trip please call Eric Durr at 518-786-4581 no later than 5 p.m. on Monday June 23. At this time the trip will be via ground transportation and it is anticipated to take no more than six hours, which includes approximately two hours at the training location. Press which wish to send their own vehicle are welcome to do so but must coordinate with the Division of Military and Naval Affairs for access. Coverage Opportunities: Members of the media will be able to interview the Soldiers of the 206th MP Company who are familiarizing themselves with this new equipment, observe their training, get in the vehicles. Training will include urban combat tactics and drivers training. Soldiers and leaders will be available for interviews. 206th MP Company: The 206th MP Company, which recently moved from the Schenectady Armory to a new facility in Latham will conduct this annual training mission from June 23 to June 27. Many of these Soldiers have served in Iraq. M117 Armored Security Vehicle: The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, or ASV, is an all-wheel drive armored vehicle manufactured by Cadillac Gage of Textron for use by the U.S. Military Police. Its armament consists of an Mk 19 grenade launcher and M2 Browning Machine Gun mounted in a turret. The vehicle has become very popular with U.S. Military Police Units and Convoy Security Units in Iraq. It is a more heavily protected and heavily armed alternative to the armored HMMWV which was not originally designed to be a protected fighting vehicle New York State Preparedness Training Center: Located at the Oneida County Airport, the State Preparedness Training Center utilizes existing airport buildings, hangers, and runways as a location to train first responders and police. Along with classroom space one hanger has been configured as an officer building to allow police to practice tactical techniques.