2020 Annual Report Division of Military and Naval Affairs

2020 ANNUAL REPORT

1 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report The Adjutant General DMNA was Ready and Responsive for New Yorkers in Historic 2020 Mission

During 2020 the men and women of the performed exceptionally. New York Army and Air National Guard, As 2020 came to a close, the New York New York Naval Militia, the New York National Guard was also one of two Guard and the civilian workforce of the National Guard contingents to play a role Division of Military and Naval Affairs per- in testing the logistics of receiving and formed magnificently as New York State distributing the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine grappled with the worldwide coronavirus to military personnel in December. Just pandemic. under 1,000 of our personnel were vac- As New York mobilized to cope with the cinated without a hitch. pandemic, National Guard Soldiers and Meanwhile, we continued to maintain Airmen stepped forward to help their fel- Joint Task Force Empire Shield, our low citizens from Long Island to Buffalo. security augmentation force in New York This Division of Military and Naval Affairs City, and provided a small contingent of Annual Report reflects the efforts of our troops to help local governments deal with Maj. Gen. Ray F. Shields men and women here at home, while flooding along Lake Ontario’s shoreline in Guard Soldiers and Airmen also served the spring. U.S. and allied forces with the MQ-9 re- the nation overseas. motely piloted vehicle. A handful of Airmen At the same time, over 650 Soldiers of even assisted California in fighting wild- Over 5,000 service members took part in the 42nd Infantry Division’s headquarters fires, supporting the California National the COVID-19 pandemic response mis- served in countries across the Middle Guard during the spring and summer. sions. They provided administrative and East as the command element for Task logistics support at COVID-19 testing sta- Force Spartan, the 10,000 Soldier Army Smaller contingents of Soldiers and Air- tions, answered questions on the state’s contingent supporting U.S. Central Com- men deployed to Afghanistan and other coronavirus hotline, moved medical mand. Our Soldiers ensured that terror- critical areas. Alpha company of the 204th supplies, assembled test kits, helped feed ists aligned with the Islamic State did not Engineer Battalion also took part in mis- millions of families in need and assisted regenerate, while conducting important sions supporting the Border Patrol on the New York City officials in recovering the alliance building measures with friendly southwest border. remains of those who fell victim to the governments and militaries in the region. I am pleased to report that this year we pandemic. Members of our Air National Guard flew made significant progress in upgrading This year has been demanding but our vital military supplies around the world aging armories that play a significant role Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees and also conducted combat patrols over as training bases for our Soldiers and also support our domestic response efforts. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Charles Schumer and other New Yorkers in Con- gress, as well as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, funds were allocated for the renovation of the Jamaica Armory. When the building was originally constructed, cannons were pulled by horses and the armory was de- signed with stables. It is long past time to bring this building into the 21st Century. I am hopeful we will also be able to upgrade the historic Lexington Avenue Armory which has served as the home of the famous 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry for more than 100 years.

Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, speaks with Soldiers assigned to the 466th Area Support Medical Company during the unit mobilization ceremony in Queensbury, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2020. The company deployed to the Middle East in late 2020 after first serving at home for the pandemic response.

Division of Military 2 and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Table of Contents

The Adjutant General Overview 2

Division of Military and Naval Affairs 4

Emergency Operations 6

Counter Drug Task Force 14

Honoring New Yorkers 15

Facilities 17

Camp Smith/Youngstown Range Use 20

New York Army National Guard 24

Annual Training 36

Aviation 38

New York Air National Guard 40

New York Naval Militia 50

New York Guard 52

Civilian Workforce 54

State Partnership Program 55 Spc. Logan Schmidt, an infantryman assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, as- Military History Museum 58 sembles dairy care-packages while conducting food distribution operations in Delhi, N.Y., Apr. 30, 2020.

The Annual Report is published each year electronically under the provi- sions of New York Executive Law Section 164, and is intended to provide the public with information on the programs and financial activities of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Financial data reflects 2020 Federal and State Fiscal Years. The Annual Report is produced by the New York National Guard Public Affairs Office. Publication date: January 2021. The Division of Military and Naval Affairs and the New York National Guard can be found online at: https://dmna.ny.gov

FRONT COVER: Top photo: Senior Airman Alyssa Volkner, assigned to the 139th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, prepares to administer COVID-19 tests at a drive-thru test Staff Sgt. Matt Cordaro, of Patchogue, New York, as- site at the SUNY Albany Campus, Albany, N.Y., July 9, 2020. Bottom photo: Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 152 signed to the New York Army National Guard, keeps a Brigade Engineer Battalion conduct demolition training at Fort Drum, N.Y., July lookout, during a training exercise in Riverhead, N.Y., 15, 2020. The Soldiers prepped and detonated Bangalore torpedoes while hon- June 12, 2020. ing their combat engineer skills.

3 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report

New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs

The New York State Division of Mili- tary and Naval Affairs (DMNA) is the state executive agency responsible to the governor for managing New York’s Military Forces which consists of 19,345 members of the New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard, New York Naval Mili- tia and New York Guard. DMNA and the military forces are led by The Adjutant General of New York who is appointed to the position by the governor. The adjutant general has a dual status: he is a commis- sioner of a New York State agency and is also a federally recognized general officer in the New York Na- tional Guard. The agency reports to the governor through the Deputy Secretary for Public Safety. The adjutant general is responsible for both agency admin- istration and training, manning, and equipping of military forces and facility readiness. The adjutant general is responsible for ensuring that the New York Army and Air National Guard are ready to undertake federal missions when directed. This can include deployments into combat zones, federal emergency re- sponse missions, or overseas training deployments. Members of the New York Air National Guard color guard stand ready to post the There are 10,464 members of the colors at a change of responsibility ceremony for the New York Air National Guard New York Army National Guard and Senior Enlisted Airman. The ceremony took place at the Division of Military and Naval 5,876 members of the New York Air Affairs headquarters, Sept. 10, 2020. National Guard. Most of these Sol- diers and Airmen serve part time. toring the skies above North America. under the authority of the governor. However, there are 816 full time Army National Guard elements are When called to federal duty they fall Army National Guard Soldiers who ready to deploy when called upon. under the authority of the president of handle administration and mainte- The adjutant general is responsible to the United States. nance functions between training pe- the Governor of New York for sup- The two state defense forces – which riods. The Air National Guard includes plying troops for state emergency only conduct state missions- are the 1,600 full-time Airmen. response missions and standing state New York Naval Militia and the New Elements of the New York Air Na- security missions, such as Joint Task York Guard. There are 2,654 mem- tional Guard execute federal missions Force Empire Shield in New York City. bers of the Naval Militia and 410 on a daily basis—flying remotely National Guard Soldiers and Airmen members of the New York Guard. piloted aircraft, transporting supplies serving in a non-federal status, i.e. The agency’s state appropriated around the world, supporting science training for the traditional two weeks a budget for the 2020-2021 New York in the Arctic and Antarctic and moni- year and one weekend a month, are fiscal year, which began in April 2020 Division of Military 4 and Naval Affairs NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report was $ 306,111,000. This includes $157,611,000 to cover a major reno- vation of the Jamaica Armory. The appropriation included $79.9 million in operational appropriations, $225.2 million for capital projects and $1 million in Aid to Localities funds for insurance premium benefits for Na- tional Guard Soldiers Service Mem- bers Group Life Insurance expenses. DMNA received approximately $823 million in federal funds during 2020. DMNA employed 391 state and 1,458 civilian federal employees in 2020. Missions of full time employees include management of federal and state budgets, human resources, Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, praises Col. Mark Slusar, the State Aviation Officer, on his accomplishments throughout his career during his training, logistics and facilities man- retirement ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters, Latham, N.Y., June 19, 2020. agement, as well as training with federal, state and local public safety ties (AASF); large, castle-like structures. Armories partners for domestic operations. - One Maneuver Area Training Equip- constructed since 1930 are typically Currently, DMNA operates and main- ment Site (MATES) at Fort Drum; brick structures, some with large drill tains numerous sites comprised of: halls and others (circa 1950-1960s) - One Warehouse and a Central with smaller drill hall space. - 36 armories; Issue Facility (CIF) at Watervliet Arsenal; The total size of the supported infra- - Four National Guard Readiness structure is approximately 5.0 million Centers; - The Camp Smith Training Site square feet located on 3,409 acres. - The New York State Military Muse- (CSTS); These facilities support the readiness um and Veterans Research Center; - Four Local Training Areas (LTA); goals of accounting for and maintain- - Three armories that have been - And two Civil Support Team (CST) ing of military equipment, including excessed to the New York State Of- facilities, one at Stratton Air National vehicles, aircraft, weapons and com- fice of General Services but not yet Guard Base and one at Fort Hamilton, munications systems. divested; Brooklyn. DMNA’s executive offices are lo- - Three Combined Support Mainte- Many agency installations were cated at 330 Old Niskayuna Road in nance Shops (CSMS); established around the turn of the Latham, where state and federal staff work side-by-side to manage military - 15 Field Maintenance Shops; 20th century and are on the state and federal historic register and are readiness. - Three Army Aviation Support Facili-

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Band, perform at New York National Guard Headquarters, Latham, N.Y., July 17, 2020. Usually holding at least 15 to 20 concerts a year, all performances were cancelled due to COVID-19, with the band arranging this one performance in order to meet training requirements and certify their mission as a band.

5 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Emergency Operations in 2020 The Division of Military and Naval In this case the troop payroll and This was the largest Civil Support Affairs provides trained personnel costs of the operation are being Operation in the history of the New and equipment when called upon by funded by the federal government at York National Guard in terms of acti- the governor of New York to respond the direction of the president of the vated strength over an extended and to weather and other emergencies in United States, while the governor still sustained period. DMNA maintained New York and within the territory of has command of the National Guard on average, 2,367 service members the United States. forces. on duty throughout the year, operat- The governor can call upon members The New York Army and Air National ing at 45 mission sites throughout the of the New York Army and Air National Guard are part of the reserve compo- state. Guard, the New York Naval Militia and nents of their respective services. The The pandemic response mission the New York Guard to assist with New York Guard is the state’s volun- occupied DMNA assets from March response in state active duty status. teer response force. The New York to December 2020 and 1,682 person- Troops operating in this status are Naval Militia is mainly comprised of nel were still on duty. At the onset paid for by the state and respond to members of the Navy, Marine Corps of 2021 missions continued and the the orders of the governor. Federal and Coast Guard Reserve who also state’s response shifted to getting military equipment can be employed agree to perform state duties. vaccines out to residents. by troops in active duty status but During 2020 the Division of Military On March 9, 2020, Governor Andrew the state of New York assumes the and Naval Affairs mobilized 5,066 M. Cuomo directed the deployment of costs of operating and repairing those members of the New York Military New York National Guard personnel vehicles and other equipment. Forces in response to the worldwide to New Rochelle to help contain the New York National Guard members COVID-19 pandemic. At the peak of state’s first COVID-19 outbreak in that can also conduct missions under the the response mission (at the end of community. direction of the governor, or of an- April), 3,646 personnel were in a Title State officials declared a 1 mile con- other state’s governor, while in “Title 32 or state active duty status involved tainment zone—in which businesses, 32” status. in COVID-19 response missions.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Thalia Santos from Yonkers, N.Y., carries boxed meals to a waiting vehicle at a food distribu- tion site in The Bronx, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2020.

Division of Military 6 and Naval Affairs Emergency Operations 2020 Annual Report schools and religious centers were shut down—in an effort to contain the outbreak. As part of that effort, the New York National Guard mobilized 300 troops with the first troops rushing into ac- tion the next day. The troops were on state active duty orders and initially provided food to students who could no longer get school lunches and cleaned public buildings and facilities. Within a week forces grew to 900 personnel and missions expanded to include manning a COVID-19 infor- mation call center and distributing hand sanitizer packaged at New York State correctional facilities. On March 22, 2020, the president signed orders allocating federal dol- lars–Title 32 Section 502F funds—to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo speaks at a press conference in front of New York cover the costs of National Guard National Guard members at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, personnel and orders were initiated March 27, 2020. The convention center served as an alternate care site during New transitioning Army and Air Guard York’s response to COVID-19. personnel from state to federal duty County. status. National Guard personnel also By the end of March, 2,778 person- helped with pop up food distribution nel were on duty across the state as- missions in rural areas and even sembling COVID-19 test kits, assist- assisted in delivering senior meals in ing at testing sites, delivering meals Chenengo County. in New York City, running logistics operations, and expanding the call The largest effort was in New York center mission. City where tens of millions of meals were passed out by DMNA personnel. Guard Members also took calls placed to New York’s Novel Corona- One of the most physically and virus Hotline, answering questions mentally demanding missions was Sgt. Sean Wedgwood and Staff Sgt. about COVID-19 at call centers in assisting the New York City Office of Shawn Kulig, both assigned to Delta Brooklyn, Rotterdam and Schenect- the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) Company, 427th Brigade Support ady. in retrieving the remains of New York- Battalion, collect information from a ers who passed away during the initial member of the New York State Police Guard members initially staffed a call brunt of the pandemic. at a COVID-19 antibody testing site in center in Hawthorne in the Hudson Williamsville, New York, May 5, 2020. Valley for two weeks before moving to Teams of National Guardsmen with additional centers across the state. rented panel trucks specially outfitted through a training course conducted for the mission accompanied medical About 100 Guard members worked by OCME. examiners to homes to retrieve the with 590 civilian employees to take In addition to retrieving decedents decedents. calls from people seeking COVID-19 from their homes and other locations, information. Calls answered by Guard From March 23 to June 13, 400 members of this team also helped members ranged from 100 to 28,000 New York National Guardsmen were move remains stored in the tempo- per day. involved in the mission and conducted rary morgue of refrigerated trailers the dignified recovery of 2,882 dece- The food delivery mission began established at the 39th Street Pier in dents. when Soldiers helped distribute meals Brooklyn. to make up for lunches that stu- Some of the Guardsmen, like the In addition, the Army’s 54th Quarter- dents in New Rochelle schools were members of the 107th Attack Wing master Company, based at Fort Lee, missing because their schools were Fatality Search and Recovery Team, Va., deployed 50 mortuary affairs closed. had trained for this type of mission. Soldiers to assist OCME in document- Most of those on the mission were Eventually, that expanded to provid- ing the deaths. members of the 369th Sustainment ing meals in Westchester County, DMNA military personnel helped Brigade who volunteered and went Albany County and Schenectady organize equipment at warehouse 7 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Emergency Operations locations – which included one of the large hangers at Stewart Air National Guard Base -- and moved critical goods when needed. The 105th Airlift Wing also received ventilators needed in New York, which were shipped to the base from the west coast. During the year, DMNA assets were engaged in 14 different pandemic related missions. At the end of 2020 five of these were still ongoing. The single drive thru COVID-19 test site erected at Glen Island State Park in March expanded to 15 test sites across the state. By the end of 2020 New York Military Forces personnel assisted in collecting 1,124,029 test samples. Soldiers and Airmen di- rected traffic, performed logistics and administrative support and military medical personnel collected samples at some locations.

The Division of Military and Naval New York Army National Guard Spc. Isaiah Charles assigned to the 1156 Engineer Affairs Office of Budget and Finance, Company, delivers hand sanitizer to various facilities across New York City boroughs which handles state spending for as part of the COVID-19 response, April 23, 2020. the agency, handled a tremendous amount of purchase requests and credit card transactions as part of the COVID-19 response. During 2020, the office processed 23,228 credit card transactions for everything from gas for rental ve- hicles, meals for Soldiers on duty, to motel rooms for Soldiers and Airmen. Personnel from the New York Naval Militia were placed on State Active Duty to assist the civilian workforce in accounting for each transaction. An additional 74 major purchases or- ders were processed for the mission. Careful accounting practices allow New York State to seek federal reim- bursement for expenses. In comparison, the Budget and Soldiers assist Feeding Westchester staff to distribute food to people in need dur- Finance Office handled 14,125 credit ing the Coronavirus pandemic as a part the Nourish New York event at the Feeding card transactions for “normal” agency Westchester distribution center in Elmsford, N.Y., May 28, 2020. business. 112,707 gallons. delivered. COVID 19 Mission statistics for - Call Center Support: 287,162 - Facility Cleaning: 907,000 square DMNA during 2020 were: calls handled for NYS DOH and NYC feet at 22 locations. - Test Site Support: 1,124,029 tests. Veterans Services. - Access Control at alternative - COVID 19 Test Kit Assembly: - Warehouse Operations: 52,539 treatment facilities: Six locations 5,519,923 kits assembled. pallets received and 23,950 pallets supported. - DOH healthcare data collected at distributed at six locations. - Antibody Testing Site support: 12 airports: 1,185,923 passengers - Meal Preparation: 444,987 meals 14,269 tests collected. screened. (October 16-31 December) prepared. Decedent Recovery Teams: Con- - Hand sanitizer distribution: - Meals Delivered: 54,899,025 ducted dignified recovery of remains Division of Military 8 and Naval Affairs Emergency Operations 2020 Annual Report of 2,882 New Yorkers. Also assisted • City of Rochester, 1000 E. Henrietta Vaccine Point of Distribution in reorganizing temporary morgues. Rd, Rochester trailer construction mission: Javits Medical Center Administra- • Hamlet of Sanborn, 3111 Saunders • State Preparedness Training Cen- tion: Assisted in treatment for 1,095 Settlement Rd, Sanborn ter, 5900 Airport Rd, Whitestown, Trial patients. • Town of Vestal, 76 Bearcat Blvd, Vaccination POD setup Assistance Mask fit tests: 1,889 tests con- Vestal Lake Ontario Flooding ducted. • Bay Plz Mall, 2210 Bartow Ave, While undertaking the COVID-19 Civil Support Team Mobil Lab Bronx response mission, DMNA mobilized Tests: 6,681 tests. • City of New Rochelle, Glen Island 46 New York Army National Guard, STRENGTH NUMBERS AT THE State Park, Weyman Ave, New Ro- New York Naval Militia and New York END OF EACH MONTH WERE: chelle Guard personnel to assist Monroe County in dealing with Lake Ontario March 31: 2,778 • Rockland County, Bear Mountain, water levels that were higher than April 30: 3,646 Anthony Wayne Recreational Area, normal in April and May. Palisades Interstate Pkwy, Stony May 31: 3,195 Point The team installed several 250 foot June: 30: 2,718 lengths of water barriers and em- • SUNY Albany, 1400 Washington placed 9,324 sandbags to protect the July: 31: 1,920 Ave, Albany Monroe County Sheriff’s boat launch. August 31: 1,129 • Lehman College, Grand Ave & W New York Army National Guard Sept. 30: 1,107 192nd St, Bronx Soldiers also built a 170 foot long wall Oct. 31: 1,468 • Jones Beach, 2400 Ocean Pkwy, of sandbags on Edgemere Drive near Wantagh Dewey Avenue in the Town of Greece Nov. 30: 1,687 • 888 Fountain Ave, Brooklyn to clean up a problem shoreline. Dec. 28: 1,682 • SUNY Stony Brook, 1449 Stony Tropical Storm Isais OPERATIONAL LOCATIONS FOR Brook Rd, Stony Brook In August, the New York National DMNA ASSETS AT THE END OF Guard mobilized 77 Soldiers and 2020 WERE: • Aqueduct Park, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Queens Airmen to assist Putnam County and Airport traveler screening mission: Queens County following Tropical • 777 Seaview Ave, Staten Island • LaGuardia Airport, Queens Storm Isais, on August 4, 2020. Alternative Care Facility support/ • JFK Airport, Queens With 703,191 utility customers security missions: without power on August 5, 2020, the • Greater Rochester International • Westchester Convention Center, governor declared an emergency and Airport, 1200 Brooks Ave, Rochester City of White Plains, 198 Central Ave, directed DMNA to mobilize troops to • Syracuse Hancock International White Plains provide assistance. Airport, 1000 Colonel Eileen Collins • South Beach Psychiatric Campus, Sixty Soldiers and Airmen were Blvd, Syracuse 777 Seaview Ave, Staten Island deployed to support Putman County. • Albany International Airport, Albany • SUNY Stony Brook, 101 Nicolls Rd, From August 6 to August 8 the team Shaker Rd, Colonie Stony Brook, • Long Island MacArthur Airport, 100 • SUNY Old Westbury, 223 Store Hill Arrival Ave, Ronkonkoma Rd, Old Westbury • Westchester County Airport, 240 • Javits Convention Center, 429 11th Airport Rd, White Plains Ave, Manhattan • Ithaca Tompkins Intl Airport, 1 Cul- Logistics missions locations: ligan Dr, Ithaca • 2916 Lyons Rd, Geneva • Plattsburgh Intl Airport, 42 Airport Ln, Plattsburgh • State Preparedness Training Cen- ter, 5900 Airport Rd, Whitestown • Elmira Corning Regional Airport, 276 Sing Sing Rd #1, Horseheads • Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, Man- hattan • Buffalo Niagara International Air- • 28 Park Dr., Amsterdam port, 4200 Genesee St, Cheektowaga New York Army National Guard Staff Drive thru COVID Testing Centers: • 2070 Route 52, East Fishkill Sergant Kevin Ward works a water • MERC, New York State Military pump to fill a water bladder at the Mon- • City of Rome, 592 Hangar Rd, roe County Sheriff Boat Launch on April Reservation, 500 Camp Smith Rd, Rome 29, 2020 as part of the Joint Task Force Cortlandt • City of Buffalo, 125 Perry St, Buffalo Ontario flood response. 9 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Emergency Operations delivered 28,800 bottles of water, 630 conduct debris clearance missions. to first responders, mapping the fire bags of dry ice and 260 bags of ice. They employed 20 chainsaws to cut lines and providing damage assess- The 53rd Troop Command mobilized up and remove debris throughout ments, according to 163rd Attack 20 Soldiers, while the 105th Airlift Queens. Wing officials. Wing mobilized 30 Airmen to support Residents would report downed trees The Airmen – pilot 1st Lt. Nicole Clay the mission and another 10 Airmen to to the city’s 311 number and the city from the 174th Attack Wing in Syra- handle headquarters functions. parks department would direct the cuse, pilot 1st Lt. Timothy Morgan and The personnel were divided into two Soldiers and Airmen to the location. sensor operator Tech. Sgt. Andrew strike teams and dispatched to link The debris clearance mission lasted Pajak, assigned to the 107th Attack up with Putnam County emergency until August 11. Wing in Niagara Falls – were joined management officials on August 6. California Wildfire Support by Senior Airman Matthew Kohlmyer, a Tactical Air Control Party Airman One team conducted five traffic Four New York National Guard Air- assigned to the 274th Air Support Op- control missions in Putnam Valley. men deployed to California from Sept erations Squadron in Syracuse, part Another team worked on Route 6 in 1-30 to assist in flying MQ-9 missions of the 107th Attack Wing. Kohlmyer Mahopec, delivering 16,800 bottles in support of California Department of acted as a liaison between firefighters of water, 350 bags of dry ice and 150 Forestry and Fire Protection response and aircrews. bags of ice to several locations. to 7,982 wildfires burning more than The MQ-9, designed to provide On August 7, 2020, the only missions 3.6 million acres and damaging or destroying 7,630 structures. extensive loiter time for enhanced re- were for water and ice delivery, so the connaissance and attack capabilities 20 Soldiers from the 53rd Troop Com- The California National Guard against adversaries overseas, brings mand’s 101st Expeditionary Signal requested the assistance for three unique capabilities to the 18,000 Brigade ended their mission. MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft firefighters battling wildfires for the Thirty Airmen from the 105th Airlift crewmembers and a tactical air California Department of Forestry and Wing delivered 12,000 bottles of wa- controller apprentice to support MQ-9 Fire Protection (Cal Fire). ter, 280 bags of dry ice and 110 bags flights launched by California’s 163rd Attack Wing September 1-30. On the ground, Kohlmyer helped of ice to three locations on August 7. direct aircraft to critical areas and Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the The remotely piloted aircraft pen- advised firefighters and emergency security augmentation force in New etrated fierce firestorms to provide personnel about MQ-9 aircraft capa- York City, designated 27 personnel to real time, full motion video of the fires bilities.

With smoke visible at altitude, New York Air National Guard pilot 1st Lt. Nicole Clay, assigned to the 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse, N.Y., conducts remotely piloted operations with an MQ-9 while deployed in September, 2020 at March Air Reserve Base in Calif.

Division of Military 10 and Naval Affairs Emergency Operations 2020 Annual Report While responding to the COVID-19 City since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks pandemic, the New York National on the World Trade Center. Initially Guard also conducted several regular, the force also provided security at ongoing civil support missions with New York’s nuclear power plants. standing forces including: Joint Task This mission ended in 2008. Force Empire Shield, eight Citizens The Empire Shield mission is also Preparedness Corps training teams supplemented by the New York Naval and two Weapons of Mass Destruc- Militia’s Military Emergency Boat tion Civil Support Teams. Services (MEBS). MEBS boats con- Joint Task Force Empire Shield duct maritime operations in New York Joint Task Force Empire Shield Harbor in conjunction with the Coast (JTFES), a force comprised of 740 Guard and participate in a random- members of the New York Army ized antiterrorism screening program and Air National Guard on duty in in the waters off the Indian Point New York City throughout the year Energy Center. They also assist the to supplement security at airports, Coast Guard in conducting board- train stations, bridges, and other key ing and inspection missions on ships transportation infrastructure hubs. entering the New York harbor. Spc. Josiah Mena, of Port Jefferson The members of JTFES constituted During 2020, Empire Shield conduct- Station, N.Y., a member of the New additional sets of eyes and ears while ed 3,271 missions and performed 407 York Army National Guard, loads working with police at these key loca- Military Boat Service missions. boxed, packaged food, into a waiting vehicle at a food distribution site in The tions. JTFES participated in nine Multi- Bronx, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2020. The force is based out of Fort Hamil- Agency Super Surges in which many ton, Brooklyn, and a Quick Response law enforcement entities increased Lastly, JTFES took part in Operation Force is on call at Fort Hamilton to personnel to detect, deter, disrupt RAILSAFE missions that involved co- surge forces when required. and defeat potential terrorist threats. ordinated patrols of railroad stations, subway stations, rights of way, as well JTFES was created in 2003, but a JTFES also participated in Random as providing an increased security New York National Guard security Antiterrorism Measures Program presence on trains. force had been operating in New York (RAMP) operations.

Members of the New York Army National Guard load boxed meals and packaged food, into a waiting vehicle at a food distribution site in The Bronx, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2020. New York National Guard members are supporting the multi-agency response to COVID-19.

11 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Emergency Operations Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams The New York National Guard main- tains two Weapons of Mass Destruc- tion Civil Support Teams, the 2nd, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, and the 24th at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. More commonly known as the Civil Support Teams (CSTs), CSTs are highly trained first response units that support civil authorities responding to a weapon of mass destruction inci- dent. The CST mission is to support civil authorities at a chemical, biologi- cal, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) incident by identifying CBRN hazards, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on appropri- ate response measures, and assisting Army 2nd Lt. Sean Durst and Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Rodan, assigned to the 24th with requests for additional state and/ Civil Support Team, conduct decontamination during their radiological detection and or federal resources. identification training event at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2020. The 2nd CST is focused on mis- ment, training and capabilities as the ments. The 2nd CST has also con- sions in upstate New York. Based 2nd CST, but provides more respon- ducted COVID-19 testing for DMNA. upon weather and road conditions, sive training and operational support The 24th CST took part in 34 standby ground transit time equates to 3 to 5 to the downstate region. CSTs will hours after departing home station. missions, 16 assist missions, 22 train- normally be the first National Guard ing exercises and 104 days of rapid Any response beyond the 250 mile units to arrive at a WMD incident maximum ground movement radius result COVID-19 testing for partner may warrant the use of rotary or fixed To accomplish their mission, CSTs agencies engaged in the COVID-19 wing aircraft. The CST equipment set prepare by participating in both mili- response effort. is man-portable for rotary wing move- tary and civilian emergency response Both CSTs can operate in support of ment (but at a degraded capability) as training. CST team members com- other states in the northeast. plete advanced training at several well as air transportable by fixed wing Homeland Response Force aircraft at full capability. Department of Defense schools, alongside other agencies such as In conjunction with the New Jersey The 24th CST has the same equip- the Federal Emergency Management National Guard, the New York Na- Agency, the Department of Justice, tional Guard contributes forces to the the Environmental Protection Agency Homeland Response Force (HRF) and the Department of Energy. Addi- for FEMA Region II, a planned CBRN tionally, CSTs are equipped with high- response force of 570 Soldiers and end detection, analytical, and protec- Airmen. tive equipment, as well as satellite, In 2020 the 27th Infantry Brigade secure, and cellular communications Combat Team provided the headquar- to provide connectivity with both civil- ters for the HRF. ian and military forces. The decontamination element was The 2nd CST took part in six standby provided by Alpha Company of the missions, nine assist missions, nine 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, the training exercises and two response search and rescue element was pro- missions. During 2020 both response vided by the 152nd Brigade Engineer missions involved development of a Battalion and the medical element plume model for the smoke emanat- came from components of the New ing from active fire responses and York Air National Guard. monitoring for airborne hazardous Staff Sgt. Kristin Northrup, assigned If activated, the HRF increases the to the 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruc- conditions. These fires involved operational capability and flexibility tion Civil Support Team, collects a known hazardous materials that sample in a simulated-training event required advanced monitoring equip- available to governors responding to on Stewart Air National Guard Base, ment which the CST was able to CBRN incidents within their state. Newburgh, N.Y., Oct. 19-22, 2020. provide to the community fire depart- Members of the HRF conducted Division of Military 12 and Naval Affairs Emergency Operations 2020 Annual Report specialized training to familiarize Critical Infrastructure Protection State Armory in Leeds. members with comparable civilian Mission Assurance Assessments Division of Homeland Security hazardous materials response equip- Detachment (CIP-MAA) and Emergency Services Cyber ment, as well as the incident com- The CIP-MAA Detachment is com- Protection Support mand structure that enables the HRF posed of nine New York Army Nation- DMNA provides support using State element to seamlessly integrate with al Guard Soldiers who have the skills civilian first responders. The intent of Active Duty to the Division of Home- and training to conduct assessments land Security and Emergency Ser- the HRF is to supplement state or lo- of critical defense assets involving cal authorities by providing enhanced vices Cyber Incident Response Team. transportation, defense, energy and This team provides cyber-security response, rescue, relief, and recovery communications infrastructure. capabilities that states, localities and expertise for counter terrorism, critical other federal agencies may lack in a They work in support of the Defense infrastructure and cyber-security risk CBRN event. Critical Infrastructure Program but assessments for local, county and also supports New York state entities. state authorities. HRF units conduct unit training The team includes a mission analyst, for CBRN response in addition to In 2020, we provided nine service electrical specialist, transportation members. They helped complete the unit’s wartime (federal) mission specialist, water, heating, ventila- requirements. The HRF does not five Cyber Security Assessments, tion and air conditioning specialist, multiple incident responses and support state or local authority; it a communications specialist, an air supplements it by providing response, further improvement of the FBI Threat conditioning specialist, and petroleum Information Sharing Liaison Program. rescue, relief and recovery capabili- oil and lubricants specialist along with ties that states, localities and other The majority of the assessments were a photographer and team leader. The conducted remotely due to COVID-19 federal agencies may lack in a CBRN detachment is based at the New York event. restrictions.

New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Ontario build a sandbag wall along the Lake Ontario shore- line in Monroe County April 29, 2020 to help prevent flooding in and around the Rochester Yacht club and Monroe County Police station.

13 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Counterdrug Task Force

The New York National Guard Coun- Seventy people work directly in • $809,555 of vehicles; terdrug Task Force provides support support of law enforcement, 24 are • $2.6 million of heroin; to local, state and federal law enforce- civil operators who work with local ment agencies and works with local anti drug groups and 27 conduct staff • $4.1 million of fentanyl; community-based anti-drug organiza- work to support the mission. • $17 million of cocaine; tions to reduce drug use in New York. The task force also conducts aviation • $7 million of methamphetamines; The task force consists of 121 missions in support of law enforce- • $100,000 of prescription drugs personnel -- 71 Soldiers and 50 Air- ment using the National Guard’s two men-- who conduct this mission while Lakota UH-72 light utility helicopters. • Over $6,761,628 in other property continuing to train with their units. During federal fiscal year 2020 the The civil operations program contin- Task force members utilize military task force was funded through a fed- ued to perform outreach services in skills in intelligence analysis and plan- eral appropriation of $11.5 million. order to confront substance abuse issues in New York’s communities. ning, working with law enforcement to Approximately $8 million was spent interdict drug suppliers and shut down in direct support of federal, state and The force also participated in the Gov- drug dealing operations in the drug local threats throughout the state. ernor’s Opioid Steering Committee. supply reduction effort. Of this $8 million, $6 million went to Additionally, working in conjunction The task force provided investigative, criminal analysis mission and $2 mil- with the New York State Office of Ad- analytical, mapping and reconnais- lion supports operations in support of diction Services and Supports (OA- sance support to law enforcement local anti drug efforts. SAS), the civil operators applied their confronting drug traffickers. They The remaining $3.5 million funded unique military skills, to develop and also provided specialized analytical aviation operations, counterdrug sustain 125 community based organi- support in the field of financial crimes detection operations, program admin- zations located statewide. and specialized detection equipment istration, management, and training. During 2020, two UH-72 light util- support to aid law enforcement in illicit ity helicopters assigned to the task narcotics discovery and interdiction. During federal fiscal year 2020, the task force conducted 236 missions. force flew 41.6 hours in support of law Task force members use their military Their efforts supported 89 state, local enforcement. They supported eight skills to help local groups put in place and federal law enforcement entities. different agencies across the state. drug demand reduction efforts. These Task force members assisted in drug The task force employed a dedicated civil operators help community groups arrests resulting in more than $218 detection unit that operated with organize local anti drug efforts. million in seizures. Confiscations as- numerous law enforcement agen- They operate from a headquarters at sociated with these arrests included: cies and probation departments with Stratton Air National Guard Base in • $54,990 of weapons; unique pieces of equipment. Scotia, with regional offices in Buffalo, • Over $19,879,855 million in currency; The team supported 44 law enforce- Saratoga Springs and New York. ment operations and public venue security missions. Task force per- sonnel used ion-scan technology to detect traces of illegal substances on vehicles, individuals and other items. They also utilized the Mini-Z Back scatter X-Ray device to assist law enforcement in searches. The device provides an image of items hidden inside walls or vehicles. Task force personnel also employed a Cellebrite data extraction device to obtain information from cell phones when assisting law enforcement. Unit linguists also continued to support civil operations and criminal New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Erich Schmidt, the New York National investigations. Linguists provided Guard Family Programs Operations NCO marks Red Ribbon week Oct. 27, 2020. translation support in a variety of During the week of October 23-31 people and groups opposed to drug use displayed languages, including Arabic, Russian, red ribbons to show a commitment to a drug free lifestyle. French and Chinese-Mandarin.

Division of Military 14 and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Honoring New Yorkers in 2020

The New York Army and Air National Guard provided funeral honors at 8,807 veteran’s funerals during 2020. Due to restrictions in social gath- erings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 2,000 fewer funerals than the 10,859 conducted by Army and Air National Guard honor guard teams in 2019. The New York Army and Air National Guard provided military burial hon- ors 11,326 times in 2018 and 11,170 times in 2017. A 2000 federal law mandates that for- mer members of the U.S. military who served on active duty or the reserves and who did not receive a dishonor- able discharge are eligible for military funeral honors. All former service members’ funeral honors include the folding and pre- senting of an American flag to his or Allan Atwell, a World War II Army veteran who participated in the Battle of the Bulge, receives a challenge coin from Maj. Gen. John Andonie, the Director of the Joint Staff her survivors and the playing of taps. for the New York National Guard. Allan Atwell was honored on his 95th birthday by The two-person teams usually use family, friends, neighbors, local leaders and first responders at his residence in Clifton an electronic bugle -- a bugle with a Park, N.Y., Aug. 2, 2020. Andonie led a National Guard contingent in the event. sound system and speaker inside. 106th Rescue Wing at Gabreski Air The New York Army National Guard National Guard base, said his teams provides funeral honors through a also were invited to fewer funerals. centralized program. The New York Air National Guard maintains honor Funeral homes were conducting guards at its five airbases and the funerals quickly and not requesting Eastern Air Defense Sector headquar- honors, although funeral directors ters in Rome, New York. said they expected to request military honors at later memorial services. Restrictions on the number of people who could be present at funerals early The New York Army National Guard’s in the pandemic, along with many eight Military Funeral Honors offices families deciding not to hold a formal normally conduct 700 funerals each burial or funeral drove the decline in month. In March, April, and June numbers, according to honor guard those numbers dropped. officials. In March there were 513 funeral Sgt. Nikole Clark, a member of the New York National Guard Military Fu- A Veterans Administration decision missions, which went down to 229 in neral Honors Team, presents the U.S. to discontinue graveside services and April, 337 in May, and 511 in June be- flag to the family of Army Air Force military funeral honors at National fore climbing back up to the average Cpl. Raymond Kegler at his funeral in Cemeteries for part of the year also when restrictions on funeral atten- Lackawanna, New York, May 14, 2020. drove the decline in funeral missions. dance were loosened, Moran said. As of December 31, 2020, New York New York, and especially New York There were significant declines in Army National Guard military funeral City and its suburbs, was hit early by funeral numbers in March, April and teams had provided honors for 7,122 the COVID-19 pandemic. May which are often some of the families. busiest times of the year for the honor The New York Army National Guard The New York Army National Guard guard Soldiers and Airmen. has honor guard offices in the Bronx, provides honors for those who served Harlem, Long Island, Latham, Buffalo, Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Anthony in the Army or, in the case of World Rochester, Syracuse, and Horseh- Villalon, the non-commissioned officer War II veterans, the Army Air Forces. in charge of the honor guard for the eads.

15 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Honoring New York Veterans The three offices covering New York Traditionally the leader of the team City and Long Island handled 5,041 kneels and presents the flag to a funerals in 2019. In 2020 that figure is family member on “behalf of a grateful 4,174. nation.” The teams in upstate New York per- Instead, the flag was folded and formed 3,415 military funeral honors placed on the coffin or behind a cre- in 2019. In 2020, they provided hon- mains urn and the Soldier made their ors 2,948 times. remarks from six feet away. There are 40 Soldiers who work full People eligible for funeral honors time providing military funeral honors include: and another 25 who can be called • Military members on active duty or upon on a part-time basis when in the Reserves, which includes the required. National Guard; In 2020, New York Air National Guard • Former military members who honors teams took part in 1,685 fu- served on active duty and departed neral services. In 2019 the New York under conditions other than dishonor- Air National Guard conducted 2,403 able; military funeral honors services. • Former military members who com- The Air National Guard team pro- pleted at least one term of enlistment vides support to former members of or period of initial obligated service the Air Force in Army National Guard the Selected Sgt. Nikole Clark, a member of the Both Army and Air Guard honor’s Reserve and departed under condi- New York National Guard Military Fu- teams had to change the way they do tions other than dishonorable; neral Honors Team, stands posted at things to cope with the pandemic. the casket of U.S. Army Air Force Cpl. • Former military members dis- Raymond Kegler during his funeral in The Army National Guard Honor charged from the Selected Reserve Lackawanna, New York, May 14, 2020. Guard Soldiers immediately began due to a disability incurred or aggra- wearing masks. They also practiced vated in the line of duty; staying 6 feet away from mourners. Serving military members and retir- Air Guard honor guard teams also ees are eligible for services that can began wearing masks and practicing include pallbearers and a firing party social distancing. as well as the basic funeral functions. The most significant change was dur- Families can request military funeral ing the presentation of the flag to the services through their funeral service veteran’s family. director.

New York Army National Guard Sol- diers move into position to render hon- ors saluting President Chester Arthur, the 21st President of the United States at his burial site at the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York, Oc- tober 5, 2020. The White House sends a wreath to mark the birthday of former Spc. Austin Dycha and Sgt. Nikole Clark, members of the New York National Guard presidents. Major General Michel Military Funeral Honors Team, remove the flag of the United States from the casket of Natali, the Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Army Spc. Levelzo Lyles at his funeral in Lackawanna, New York, May 14, 2020. Army, presented the wreath. Division of Military 16 and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report NY Army National Guard Facilities

The Division of Military and Naval • Two Weapons of Mass Destruction planning. The bulk of the employees Affairs operates and maintains a net- Civil Support Team facilities – one at work in the armories and other facili- work of facilities located across New Stratton Air National Guard Base and ties across the state. York to support the New York Army one at Fort Hamilton; In October, the Division of Military National Guard. • The Maneuver Area Training Equip- and Naval Affairs awarded an $85.2 Along with supporting training and ment Site at Fort Drum; million contract to renovate the military readiness for the 10,464 New • The Camp Smith Training Site near Jamaica, Queens Armory to Suffolk York Army National Guard Soldiers, Peekskill; Construction Company. The firm is these facilities are used to mobilize, headquartered in Boston but has a stage, support and sustain disaster • A warehouse and the Central Issue New York City office. Facility at Watervliet Arsenal; response within the state. Congress appropriated up to $91 These consist of: And the New York State Military Mu- million for the project in the 2020 seum in Saratoga Springs. • 36 New York State Armories which National Defense Authorization Act. host military units; During 2020, contracts for construc- The appropriation was spearheaded tion and renovation projects at armor- by Sen. Charles Schumer and other • 15 Field Maintenance Shops; ies amounted to $28.2 million, while members of the New York Congres- • Four National Guard Readiness $28.9 million was spent maintaining sional delegation. Centers; Army National Guard facilities. Key components of the three-year • Four local training areas; The Facilities and Engineer Director- project call for overhauling the exist- • Three Combined Support Mainte- ate, which has a staff of 182 people ing 140,787 square foot armory to nance Shops; –158 New York state and 24 federal better support Army National Guard employees– maintains the facilities training, administrative, and logistics • Three Army Aviation Support Facili- and also conducts centralized project requirements and accommodate ties;

On May 20th, 2020 a Vietnam era M114 armored personal carrier was delivered to the Utica armory home of the 2-108th Infantry. The M114 was restored to a static display condition by the New York Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES) located outside of Ft. Drum. The armored vehicle will remain on static display outside of the armory. 17 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report NY Army National Guard Facilities incoming units. The work on the armory will include The Jamaica Armory currently The building was built in 1936 when new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, infor- houses 425 Soldiers assigned to the artillery was towed by horses and the mation technology systems, window Headquarters and Headquarters Bat- design reflected that fact. There was a replacement, and a roof replacement. tery of the 1st Battalion, 258th Field stable with space for 138 horses used New locker rooms will be installed, Artillery, Company F of the 427th to pull the 104th Artillery’s 75-millime- ensuring adequate space for female Brigade Support Battalion, and the ter guns left over from World War I. soldiers. 442nd Military Police Company. A harness shop to repair the horse’s The massive “drill shed” area of the The 425 Soldiers who normally train harnesses was also included. armory, originally designed with a dirt at the armory have temporarily relo- The project is a vital part of bringing floor and used for training horses, will cated to other New York Army Nation- New York National Guard facilities become military vehicle parking and al Guard facilities in New York City into the 21st Century, according to a state-of-the-art field maintenance and Long Island prior to construction. Major General Ray Shields. shop. A similar project at the Fifth Avenue The New York State Office of Gen- A 38,000 square foot second-story Armory in Harlem, home of the fa- eral Services, managed procurement readiness center will be constructed mous Harlem Hellfighters, upgraded and design services and will continue within the drill shed to accommodate that historic facility into a state-of- to provide oversight and construction additional units and training without the-art training and logistics location. management services throughout the expanding the building footprint. The project. original marble-clad lobby and wood- paneled conference room will also LiRo Program and Construction be restored. Management, PE P.C., which is part of the LiRo Group headquartered in The federal government and Syosset, Long Island, with offices in New York State will share Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, the cost of the upgrades. was awarded a contract by OGS to The federal govern- oversee the project as the construc- ment will cover 75 tion manager. percent of the cost while the state gov- CHA Consulting, Inc., which is head- ernment will pay for 25 quartered in Albany and has offices in percent. Brooklyn, is the designer of record.

Division of Military 18 and Naval Affairs NY Army National Guard Facilities 2020 Annual Report That project cost $62 million over five years. Planning for the initial construction of the Jamaica Armory began in 1928 when the Armory Board went look- ing for a plot of land to serve as a new home for the New York National Guard’s 104th Artillery Regiment. In 1931, the board filed plans for an armory estimated to cost $1.75 million with the Queens Borough govern- ment. When completed in 1936, the art deco style armory cost $1.5 million to build. The plans included space for a gymnasium, company offices, a lounge, locker rooms, recreation areas, a pistol range and a bowling alley. During the Superstorm Sandy re- sponse in 2012, hundreds of National New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 466th Area Support Medical Guard Soldiers and Airmen operated Company, 153rd Troop Command, New York Army National Guard, participate in from the armory for several weeks. counter-IED training in Bulding 500 at the Camp Smith Training Site, June 12, 2020. During 2020, the four aircraft hangers The company deployed in the summer of 2020 to the Central Command area. that will accommodate eight UH-60 ly only some key areas of the building Black Hawk helicopters were com- have emergency backup power. pleted at Army Aviation Support Facil- ity #3 at Albany International Airport. A 600-kilowatt generator was in- The unheated hangers will protect the stalled at Camp Smith Training Center aircraft from winds and harsh weather that will provide backup power for the that would damage the aircraft and majority of buildings at the site. hinder DMNA’s ability to respond Since Camp Smith serves as one quickly to emergencies throughout the of the key response locations in the state. Hudson Valley, maintaining operations Previously the helicopters, assigned at the site is critical. to the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, DMNA continually seeks federal were parked on the tarmac outside funding for investment in the state’s the main, heated hanger. infrastructure. 42nd Infantry Division Soldiers in Work began on the agencies first This in turn enhances and supports formation on the hangar floor of the large renewable energy project in the readiness goals and objectives of Rochester Army Aviation Support Facil- 2020. A 504 panel solar array will be our military force. These initiatives ity during a ceremony to mark their installed at the Farmingdale Armed help maintain a properly trained and deployment overseas, Jan. 11, 2020. Forces Reserve Center which is a resourced National Guard. Maintain- the New York State Historic Preserva- federal facility overseen by the New ing and operating a quality facility in- tion Office for facility improvements York Army National Guard. frastructure in a cost-effective manner on historic buildings and other envi- The array will generate 247 kilowatts is critical to the success of our station- ronmentally sensitive programs. We of electricity for the complex. Excess ing plan and capability to respond to continue to make significant strides in power will be channeled into the state civil emergencies, natural disasters, addressing environmental challenges power grid. This project, which will be and threats to national security. by removing lead, fossil fuel, and completed in 2021 is anticipated to The agency has also continued to asbestos contamination, thus allowing save $59,000 annually. obtain and execute federal funds for the spaces to be safely occupied. A 750 kilowatt natural gas emergen- compliance with federal and state A typical project is the lead remedia- cy generator will also be installed at environmental mandates. tion effort in the basement of the Har- Division of Military and Naval Affairs These include, underground and lem Armory which reached 90 percent headquarters. This will enable the en- above ground fuel storage tank re- completion in 2020. tire complex to continue to function in quirements, wastewater treatment for the event of a power outage. Current- permit compliance, consultation with

19 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Camp Smith Training Site

Camp Smith Training Site, located in the town of Cortlandt Manor is the Division of Military and Naval Affairs’ premier training facility. Camp Smith, a state owned facility, is used by the New York Army and Air National Guard, the New York Guard, the New York Naval Militia as well as Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Reserve members, National Guard members from other states, and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and the United States Mili- tary Academy. The 53rd Troop Command, one of the New York Army National Guard’s two general officer commands is headquartered at Camp Smith, as Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, the Inspector General of the Army, greets Sgt. Sukhreet Kaur at Camp Smith on Sept. 2, 2020. The visit marked Smith’s first visit to Camp Smith. is the New York Guard, the state’s volunteer self-defense force. York Army National Guard unit. cantonment area, training ranges, Camp Smith is managed by the The Camp Smith Training Site has training simulators, a New York Na- Division of Military and Naval Affairs been used by the New York National tional Guard Readiness Center, dining Facilities and Engineering Directorate Guard since 1882 and consists of facilities, a consolidated maintenance and the Camp Smith Garrison, a New 1,582 acres, which includes a 95-acre shop, barracks and visitors quarters.

New York Army National Sgt. Alyscea Rodriguez assigned to the 466th Area Support Medical Company, applies a tourniquet to a simulated casualty during battle tasks and drills on Camp Smith, June 12, 2020.

Division of Military 20 and Naval Affairs Camp Smith Training Site 2020 Annual Report Camp Smith’s two barracks build- ings can normally house 585 people during normal usage and 1,140 per- sonnel during surge operations. Another 112 people can be housed in O’Brien Hall, the visitors’ quarters. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the maximum number of troops who can be housed at Camp Smith during the bulk of 2020 was 353. The dining facilities are used for troop meals. Units with organic food services may also utilize the kitchen for food preparation and cooking. Camp Smith is host to the Combined Support Maintenance Shop that provides maintenance support to New York Army National Guard elements on Long Island, in New York City and in the Hudson Valley. New York Army National Guard Soldiers perform the hand-release push- The facility includes three general up portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test during the state Best Warrior purpose work bays, an inspection Competition at Camp Smith, N.Y., July 25, 2020, while being monitored by bay and a welding bay, as well as a evaluators wearing face masks and following COVID-19 safety regulations. washing bay. There are also rooms in the deployment. • Urban assault course; where electronics, weapons, genera- tors and other military equipment can Camp Smith maintains eight ranges • Land navigation course; be repaired. for Soldiers and Airmen to qualify • A military operations in urban terrain and train with rifles, pistols, hand facility; The new, modern bays are config- grenades and the M203 grenade ured to support modern Army trucks, launcher. • A nuclear biological and chemical humvees and tracked vehicles in a training facility; Simulators are available at Camp safe work environment. The facility in- • A hand-to-hand combatives pit; corporates an energy efficient design Smith to enhance training. Among and is illuminated with state-of-the-art these are: • A running track; LED light fixtures and light control • The Humvee Egress Assistance and a parade field. technology. The heating, ventilation Trainer or HEAT, which allows Sol- A 15-station distance learning center and air conditioning system incorpo- diers to practice the skills needed to is also available for training courses rates state-of-the-art technology to survive a humvee rollover; and on-line education. Camp Smith save energy. • The Engagement Skills Trainer hosts tactical training conducted for The building uses radiant floor heat- 2000, a computerized electronic both Officer Candidate School and ing in the work bays and also utilizes range system that allows Soldiers to Non-Commissioned Officer courses, geothermal heating and cooling in the conduct marksmanship training with- as well as military occupational spe- administration areas. out using ammunition and exercis- cialty (MOS) courses when necessary Camp Smith serves as a key loca- ing in a number of simulated tactical conducted by the 106th Regional tion for New York National Guard situations; Training Institute. responses to state emergencies and the Virtual Convoy Trainer Each year Camp Smith hosts the occurring in the Hudson Valley. The or VCOT, which utilizes computer annual New York National Guard facilities can house and feed troops stations to allow teams to practice Adjutant General’s Match, a shooting assigned to duties in the region. convoy procedures in a 360-degree competition, as well as the annual Camp Smith played a key role in virtual environment. New York Army National Guard Best during the New York National Guard’s There are also six rappel and climb- Warrior Competition. COVID 19 response. Since the initial ing lanes marked out on the cliffs near Camp Smith has also hosted the mission was focused on nearby New O’Brian Hall. regional Best Warrior competition. Rochelle, forces dedicated to the mis- Along with plenty of maneuver space The 106th Regional Training Institute sion were housed at, and operated for basic tactical training, Camp Smith (RTI) is the training unit located at from, Camp Smith. Camp Smith also boasts: Camp Smith. The RTI teaches a num- served as a major logistics hub for • A leadership reaction course; ber of classes at the facility. These cleaning and sanitation supplies early include: 21 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Camp Smith Training Site • A 21-day basic Infantry (11B10) Mili- • A 15-day Future Leader Course, tary Occupational Specialty Qualifica- which develops young Soldiers ear- tion (MOSQ) reclassification course. marked as future non-commissioned This course was not conducted in officers. 10 Soldiers graduated the FY20 due to COVID constraints. course in FY20. • A 10-day Small Unmanned Aircraft • A Pre-Officer Candidate School System Operator Course, which certi- and OCS Phase 2, course taught fies personnel to operate the RQ-11B in conjunction with the Connecticut Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft Army National Guard, which results in System. 22 Soldiers graduated the Soldiers being commissioned as Army course in the 2020 fiscal year. 2nd Lieutenants. 10 Soldiers gradu- • A five-day Maneuver Tactics Foun- ated OCS in FY20. dation Course for Infantry and Officer • A six-day Health Care Specialist Candidate School (OCS) instructors. (68W) Sustainment Course, which 11 Soldiers graduated the course in trains and recertifies 68W Health Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20). Care Specialists to maintain their • A five-day Combatives (hand-to- qualifications. 48 Soldiers graduated hand combat) Level I training course the course in FY20. and a 10-day Combatives Level II • A 4-day GSA (government) Bus training course. 46 Soldiers graduated Driver Training Course, which awards the Level I course in FY20. the driver qualification training and • A 10-day Common Faculty Devel- skills on the 44-passenger GSA bus. Air National Guard Capt. Melissa opment Instructor Course for military 9 Soldiers graduated the course in FY20. Morales, assigned to Joint Task Force instructors. 19 Soldiers graduated the COVID-19, prepares a dosage of the course in FY20. • A Tactical Vehicle (driver) Training Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vac- • A five-day Tactical Athlete Course Course, which awards the driver qual- cine at the Camp Smith Training Site (TAC), a physical fitness development ification training and skills on specific Medical Readiness Clinic, N.Y., on December 18, 2020. The New York course aimed at helping Soldiers im- tactical vehicles. This course was not National Guard implemented the first prove their health and fitness. 60 Sol- conducted in FY20 due to COVID-19 constraints. 1,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine diers graduated the course in FY20. to Soldiers and Airmen as part of a Department of Defense initial fielding in December 2020. • A four-day Combat Lifesaver Course, which trains nonmedical Soldiers to provide emergency care as a secondary mission. 151 Soldiers graduated the course in FY20. Camp Smith also houses a company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, the 42nd Infantry Division Band, the 106th Regional Training Institute and the 138th Public Affairs Detachment. The New York Naval Militia keeps boats used by its Military Emergency Boat Service at the location. Camp Smith is also responsible for the Range and Facility Management of the Youngstown Training Area, an 860 acre maneuver and range training-site located in Western New York. New York Army National Guard Soldiers qualify with their M4 rifles during the state NYARNG Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith, N.Y., July 25, 2020. The Best Warrior Competition, held July 25-26, 2020, is an annual event in which junior en- listed Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various New York Army National Guard units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowl- edge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance.

Division of Military 22 and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Camp Smith Training Site Personnel Trained on Ranges Personnel Using Training Areas Billeted Nights of Lodging

Army National Guard 2,148 Army National Guard 16,568 Barracks 155,595 Air National Guard 0 Air National Guard 0 Lodging 4,697 U.S. Army Reserve 0 U.S. Army Reserve 41 Total: 160,292 U.S. Army 0 U.S. Army 6,101 Other DoD 35 Other DoD 16 Simulator Use Non-DoD 4,194 Non-DoD 391 Total: 6,377 Total: 23,117 Army National Guard 7,453 U.S. Army Reserve 1,385 Other DoD 0 Total: 8,838

Youngstown Training Area Personnel Trained on Ranges Personnel Using Training Areas Army National Guard 219 Army National Guard 10,158 U.S. Army Reserve 0 U.S. Army Reserve 480 U.S. Army 80 U.S. Army 185 Total: 299 Other DoD 0 Total: 10,823

23 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard

New York Army National Guard New York’s militia units played a part The New York Army National Guard in the Battle of Saratoga and formed is the largest component of the New part of the army on the “Niagara Fron- York Military Forces. tier” during the War of 1812. The Army National Guard is one of At the start of the Civil War New two reserve components of the United York’s 7th Regiment and 69th Regi- States Army. The other is the Army ment were among the first to answer Reserve. President Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops. Many of these same Soldiers The New York Army National Guard then enlisted in the state volunteer is authorized 10,238 Soldiers and has regiments which went on to serve dur- an assigned strength of 10,464.The ing the Civil War. New York Army National Guard con- sists of 9,075 enlisted Soldiers, 1,155 In World War I the New York National officers, and 234 Warrant Officers. Guard’s 27th Division and 369th and 69th Infantry distinguished them- There are 816 who are full-time Sol- selves in the fighting there. diers of the Active Guard and Reserve Sgt. Marlon Romero, a wheeled ve- Force. During World War II the 27th Divi- hicle mechanic with the 42nd Infantry sion served on the islands of Makin, Division’s Headquarters and Support Another 525 are Title 32 technicians, Saipan and Okinawa, while other New Company, works on a M1120 HEMTT which means they work full-time sup- York National Guard elements, like at Fort Hood, Texas, Feb. 4, 2020. porting units but do so in a civilian the 101st Cavalry and 258th Field sion, headquartered in Troy and the status. Membership in the National Artillery, served in Europe. Guard is a condition of their employ- 53rd Troop Command headquartered ment. New York Army National Guard at Camp Smith near Peekskill. troops have served in Afghanistan The 42nd Infantry Division provides Females comprise 21.7 percent and Iraq and in 2005 the 42nd Infan- of New York Army National Guard combat and combat support units try Division led a division-sized force while the 53rd Troop Command Soldiers. The proportion of women in in Iraq. In 2020 the 42nd Infantry Divi- the Army overall, which includes the includes combat support and combat sion commanded Army forces in the service support elements Army’s reserve components and the Middle East. Active Army, is 15.5 percent. A Joint Force Headquarters element The New York National Guard is New York Army National Guard accounts for command and staff posi- organized into two General Officer tions at state headquarters, along with Soldiers are 66.1 percent White, while Commands: The 42nd Infantry Divi- 22.4 percent are Black and 6.6 per- several specialty units. cent are Asian. The commander of the New York Army National Guard is Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, who is concurrent- ly the Adjutant General of New York. The assistant adjutant general, Army, is Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, who overseas the Army National Guard on behalf of Maj. Gen. Shields. The Chief of Staff of the New York Army National Guard is Col. Steven Rowe. The senior enlisted Soldier for the New York Army National Guard is Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowar- ski. The New York Army National Guard can trace its history back to the Dutch New York Army National Guard Soldiers with the 42nd Infantry Division and Task Colonial “Burger Guard” which was Force Spartan set up a Mobile Command Post for Operation Desert Yankee in formed to protect the New Nether- Jordan, August 23, 2020. Desert Yankee’s mission was to demonstrate Task Force lands colony in the 1640s. Spartan’s ability to expeditiously move the command post in case of emergencies. Division of Military 24 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report During 2020 all elements of the New Soldiers assigned to the division as York Army National Guard contributed part of the Headquarters and Head- personnel to the response to the CO- quarters Battalion are commanded by VID-19 pandemic. Units held virtual Lt. Col. Gurpreet Singh. drills during which Soldiers conducted Other components of the division in- online classes or worked remotely in clude the 42nd Infantry Division Band order to limit the spread of the virus. and the 10th Mountain Division Main The pandemic also resulted in the Command Post Operational Detach- cancelation of some training deploy- ment. ments and reductions in annual train- The 72-Soldier detachment consists ing. of officers and non-commissioned offi- 42nd Infantry Division cers who can help staff the headquar- The 42nd Infantry Division is one of ters of the active duty Army division the eight division headquarters in the when it deploys. Army National Guard. The 42nd Infantry Division rear The 42nd Infantry Division traces its detachment supported the New York history back to World War I when the National Guard COVID-19 response division was formed from National by providing 24 Soldiers in support of Guard detachments and regiments COVID-19 operations by supporting from 26 states in an effort to get into Joint Staff and Joint Task Force with the fight quickly. back fills. The division, its first chief of staff New Equipment Fielding during 2020 Col. Douglas MacArthur said, would for the division included the fielding “stretch across the country like a rain- of Transportable Tactical Command bow.” The division’s nickname is the Communications, which is a system Rainbow Division and its divisional that expands the Division’s mission patch is a half rainbow. command and communication ca- pability. Six Soldiers were trained on The 42nd Infantry Division has been each system (heavy and light), at the part of the New York Army National division’s headquarters in Troy. A Soldier in the 42nd Infantry Division Guard since 1947. During 2020 the 42nd Infantry Divi- prepares for deployment at Fort Indian- town Gap, Penn., on January 16, 2020. The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat sion was deployed to 12 countries Team, and the 42nd Combat Aviation in the Middle East as the command response for U.S. forces across the Brigade fall under the control of the element for Task Force Spartan, the division. The division has a training region which included Task Force 10,000 member Army force assigned Sinai in Egypt, Area Support Group- relationship with units in other state to United States Central Command. National Guards. Kuwait, Area Support Group- Qatar, The commander during the deploy- and Area Support Group-Jordan. The division headquarters is con- ment was Maj. Gen. Steven Ferrari. figured so it can command ground The Division Soldiers monitored the maneuver brigades, a fires brigade, The division deployed 670 Soldiers health status of these four brigade combat aviation and logistics ele- who performed a variety of tasks in level organizations as wells the com- ments. support of operations in the Central ponents of Task Force Spartan based Command area of responsibility in on guidance from Johns Hopkins Total strength for 42nd Infantry Divi- 2020. The division’s Soldiers left New University. The division established sion elements in the New York Nation- York in January after farewell events a COVID-19 Emergency Operations al Guard in 2020 was 5,333 Soldiers: in Albany, Rochester and Staten Is- Center to coordinate this operation. 4,584 enlisted Soldiers, 144 Warrant land and returned in December. Officers, and 605 officers. The divi- The Division medical personnel also sion is authorized 5,443 personnel. The Division commanded an ar- established quarantine facilities and mored brigade combat team, a monitored personnel to prevent the The Headquarters and Headquarters theater engineer brigade, a field artil- spread of COVID-19 among deployed Battalion of the 42nd Infantry Division lery brigade, two Army aviation task troops. totaled 833 Soldiers. forces, and a theater explosive ord- Division chemical, biological and The division was led in 2020 by Maj. nance disposal battalion. This force radiological and nuclear personnel Gen. Steven Ferrari. Major General was involved in operations against the oversaw the decontamination of 1,451 Thomas Spencer took command of Islamic State, deterrence against Iran, military vehicles entering Kuwait to the division in January 2021. The and other missions in the Middle East. prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Senior Enlisted Leader is Command The 42nd Infantry Division was also The division’s engineers assisted in Sgt. Major Corey Cush. tasked with coronavirus pandemic the build out of 1,500 bed spaces for 25 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard the quarantine of COVID-19 patients sile warning locations in the region. a brigade support battalion. across Kuwait. The division’s logistics personnel The brigade is commanded by Col. More than 6,900 personnel were were responsible for coordinating the Robert Charlesworth. The senior quarantined to prevent the spread of movement of 15,000 personnel and enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. COVID-19 and 332 Department of 3,400 tons of equipment during the Anthony McLean. Defense personnel recovered from deployment. Fiscal personnel were The brigade has an assigned COVID-19 in facilities overseen by responsible for the expenditure of strength of 3,449 and an authorized the division in conjunction with Army $357million to support operations. strength of 3,509. Central Command medical personnel. The division established tactical com- The division surgeon oversaw quar- This included 3,103 enlisted Soldiers, mand posts in both Jordan and Saudi 326 officers and 20 Warrant Officers. antine operations in 13 locations in Arabia to provide mission command support of Central Command. for Army forces deployed in both na- Elements of the 27th Brigade are 42nd Infantry Division Soldiers tions. 42nd Infantry Division Soldiers located across New York from James- provided logistics, signals, person- worked closely with Royal Saudi town to Long Island. One of the three nel, and intelligence, medical, and Armed Forces and Jordanian Armed infantry battalions, the 1st Battalion, special staff support to troops operat- Forces. 182nd Infantry Regiment, is part of the Massachusetts National Guard. ing in Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, The division signal company man- Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Exercises aged a computer and voice commu- The brigade traces is lineage back were conducted with military forces of nication network that spanned eight to the 27th Division of World War I, Kuwait, Jordan and the United Arab countries from the Arabian Peninsula one of two American divisions which Emirates. Division engineers execut- to Jordan. This network supported six fought with the British Army. The divi- ed 120 projects in five countries. main subordinate commands and the sion patch features the stylized letters The 42nd Infantry Division Air and two tactical command posts. “NYD” for New York Division and the constellation of Orion. This was a play Missile Defense section worked to 27th Infantry Brigade integrate both tactical and strategic on the name of the commander of air and missile defense systems and The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat the 27th Division, Maj. Gen. John F. create a real time shared air picture Team (IBCT) is a light infantry brigade O’Ryan. for the region. The division had the composed of three infantry battalions, During World War II, the division theater missile warning mission and a cavalry squadron, an artillery battal- fought in the Pacific on the islands trained personnel at seven other mis- ion, a brigade engineer battalion and of Saipan and Okinawa. The brigade

Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company mortar section conduct live-fire exercises each year to guarantee they have the skills and experience needed to answer the call.

Division of Military 26 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009, and to Kuwait in 2012. Elements of the 27th Infantry Bri- gade Combat Team are: The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Fighting 69th,” is headquartered at the Lexing- ton Avenue Armory in Manhattan, with companies there and in Farmingdale. According to legend, the unit got its nickname from Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The battalion deployed to Baghdad, Iraq from 2004-05. The battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. Joseph Whaley, and the senior enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Zeller. The 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Soldiers assigned to the 145th Support Maintenance Company receive a class in Sling Load Academics from Sgt. 1st Class Amy Klemm, Readiness NCO, assigned to is headquartered in Utica Regiment, Company B. 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, at the Army Aviation Support Facil- with elements in Camp Smith, Gen- ity in Ronkonkoma N.Y., on November 24, 2020. eseo, Gloversville, Ithaca, Leeds, and Morrisonville. The battalion deployed The 1st Battalion, 258th Field are located in Buffalo, Farmingdale, to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division Artillery Regiment, is headquartered Queens, and Troy. The battalion is in 2004. The commander is Lt. Col. in Queens, and has units known as commanded by Lt. Col. Shawn Shutts Mathew Kilgore. The senior enlisted batteries in Bronx and New Windsor. and the senior enlisted leader is Com- leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Nicknamed the Washington Greys mand Sgt. Maj. Leylan Jones. Markle. because one of the battalion’s for- The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic bearers escorted General George The 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Washington during his presidential Regiment, a part of the Massachu- inauguration in 1789, the battalion setts Army National Guard, is head- provides fire support to the brigade. quartered in Melrose, Massachusetts It has two batteries of M117 105 mil- with companies in Ayer, Braintree, limeter howitzers and one battery of Dorchester, and Middleboro, Massa- longer-range M777A2 155 millimeter chusetts, as well as East Greenwich, howitzers. The battalion is led by Lt. Rhode Island as part of the Rhode Col. Marc Lindemann. Command Island National Guard. The battalion Sgt. Maj. Russell Gallo is the senior traces its history back to King Phillips enlisted leader. War in 1675. The regiment traces its origins to the North Regiment, which The 152nd Brigade Engineer was constituted and organized on Battalion, is headquartered in Buf- 7 October 1636. The battalion was falo and has elements in Lockport, assigned to the 27th Brigade in 2016. Manhattan, Rochester, and Syracuse. The battalion is commanded by Lt. The battalion includes a signal com- Col. Thomas Clark, and the senior pany, an intelligence company, two enlisted leader is Master Sgt. Christo- engineer companies, and a chemical, pher Olsen. biological, radiological, nuclear recon- naissance platoon. It is commanded The 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry by Lt. Col. William Snyder. The senior Regiment (Reconnaissance, Sur- enlisted leader for the battalion is veillance, and Target Acquisition), Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Goodridge. is headquartered at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and has units in The 427th Brigade Support Bat- Buffalo, Geneva and Jamestown. The talion, headquartered in Syracuse Sgt. Alexander Sanchez, a military squadron is configured to collect tacti- with companies located in Buffalo, police officer assigned to the 222nd cal and operational information for the Fort Drum, and Rochester. Forward Military Police Company, performs the Support Companies of the 427th deadlift portion of the Army Combat brigade commander. The squadron Fitness Test during the state NYARNG is commanded by Lt. Col. Bradley directly support each of the brigade’s Best Warrior Competition at Camp Frank. Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Ro- New York units with food, fuel, main- Smith Training Site, N.Y., July 25, eser is the senior enlisted leader. tenance, and transportation, and 2020.

27 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard

Pvt. Mathew Burke from Mechanicville, N.Y., (left) and Pfc. Janelle McKoy from New Windsor, N.Y., assigned to the New York National Guard, deliver swab kits in The Bronx, N.Y., May 26, 2020. New York National Guard members are supporting the multi- agency response to COVID-19. impacted the 27th brigade’s plan for first Army Combat Fitness Test field in • The 427th Brigade Support Bat- the year. New York State. The project involved talion conducted joint training at Fort The brigade conducted virtual drills in six months of planning and 15 days of Drum with the Air National Guard’s April, May and December in order to engineering work. 109th Airlift Wing. The units practiced minimize the spread of COVID-19. Soldiers not supporting the CO- parachuting supplies to Soldiers in the field; An Exportable Combat Training VID-19 mission conducted annual Capability exercise for all elements training during 2020. More than 550 and the 152nd Brigade Engineer of the 27th brigade, which was sup- Soldiers conducted traditional annual Battalion conducted demolition opera- posed to take place as the brigade’s training during the year: tions, combat lifesaver, marksman- annual training at Fort Drum during • The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry ship, and driver training. the summer, was canceled. Known Regiment conducted individual train- During 2020, more than 1,300 as XCTC, the training allows staffs ing at their home station armories; members of the 27th Brigade took to practice their skills while enabling • The 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry part in the New York National Guard’s troops to train to proficiency at the Regiment conducted sniper, team COVID-19 response. platoon level. live-fire, and mortar operations at Fort The brigade headquarters served as 27th Brigade Soldiers did conduct Drum; the joint task force headquarters for weapons qualification at Fort Drum • The 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry central New York, and Soldiers from during the year and also began con- Regiment, focused on marksmanship, the 427th Brigade Support Battalion ducting the new Army Combat Fitness individual training and basic soldiering played key roles in logistics support Test. skills at Fort Drum; efforts. The 152nd Engineer Support Com- • The 1st Battalion, 258th Field Brigade Soldiers worked at testing pany, a part of the 204th Engineer Artillery Regiment conducted com- site, assembled COVID-19 test kits, Battalion, assisted the 27th Brigade bat lifesaver, land navigation, radar and provided food for local citizens Headquarters Company in turning an emplacement, and howitzer training at when required. empty field on the grounds behind Camp Smith; The brigade’s Soldiers did take part the Thompson Road Armory into the in individual military skills events dur- Division of Military 28 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report ing the year. an expandable geodesic frame. The Staff Sgt. Matthew Ortiz and Cpl. brigade’s design of the new com- Troy Perez, infantrymen assigned to mand post dramatically reduced setup 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, and tear-down time, and increased topped the Brigade’s Best Warrior portability, mobility and survivability in Competition in Syracuse, the regional operational environments. competition at Camp Smith Training All seven of the Brigade’s battalions Site, and the Region One competi- were fielded CD-1, an upgrade to tion at Camp Ethan Allen, Vermont their Distributed Common Ground over the Summer. The pair earned the System (DCGS) intelligence computer right to compete at the national level systems. during the Army National Guard Best The Headquarters and Headquarters Warrior Competition at Camp Shelby Company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Soldiers assigned to Delta Company, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in Septem- Infantry Regiment was fielded a new 152nd brigade Engineer Battalion were ber. Ortiz took second place among M997A3 Humvee 2-CT Ambulance. in the field at Fort Drum on November NCOs, and Perez placed third among 8, 2020, conducting Individual Weapon Soldiers. Charlie Company of the 152nd Bri- Qualification Tables 4, 5, and 6, and gade Engineer Battalion was fielded various other training and equipment Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Melendez an upgrade to their computer termi- maintenance tasks. and Sgt. Andreas Diaz, a sniper team nals. from the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry One was the Lockheed-built Vehicle Regiment, placed eighth overall at Bravo Company of the 427th Bri- Optics Sensing System, or VOSS. the National Guard 50th Winston P. gade Support Battalion was fielded a The system includes high resolution Wilson and 30th Armed Forces Skill at new Armament Repair Shop Set, or color, night vision and thermal sen- Arms Meeting Sniper Championships, ARSS. The ARSS system is a one- sors in a stabilized 15-inch turret that qualifying them for the subsequent sided expandable repair shop shelter, goes on top of armored route clear- international match in 2021. mounted on a 7.5-ton trailer that is ance, anti-mine vehicles. The VOSS transported by a 5-ton vehicle. The provides on-the-move, 360-degree Brigade units also fielded new equip- shelter contains a 10 kilowatt gen- surveillance and explosive hazard ment during 2020. erator for shop power, as well as an detection capability. The 27th Brigade’s Headquarters environmental control unit, an assort- The brigade also received the Hy- rolled out its newly-acquired AirBeam ment of tools and cabinet storage. It draulic, Electric, Pneumatic, Petro- inflatable command post tents during will provide field-level maintenance for leum Operated Equipment system. Annual Training. The setup and the armament weapon systems. The “HEPPOE” Tool System consists erection of the AirBeam is different The 152nd Brigade Engineer Bat- of two Mobile Hydraulic Power Packs than that of the brigade’s previous talion received two new systems in and 13 molded cases containing vari- DRASH shelter system, which uses 2020. ous electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic powered-tools and accessories which can be employed on a number of engineering projects. 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade The 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade is headquartered in Latham. The headquarters is designed to provide mission command up to four aviation battalions and aviation support battalions. The brigade’s New York elements had an assigned strength of 1,051 Soldiers at the end of 2020: 864 enlisted Soldiers, 85 warrant officers and 102 officers. The authorized strength is 1,080. The current commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade is Col. Capt. Kenneth Hilkert, a CH-47 Chinook pilot assigned to Detachment 1, Company Michael Charnley. The senior enlisted B, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, prepares for water bucket training in a leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Arnold flight briefing room in Rochester, New York, May 6, 2020. Hilkert and his fellow crew G. Reyes. members practiced scooping and dumping 2,000 gallons of water from Lake Ontario Elements assigned to the 42nd in preparation for firefighting missions. Combat Aviation Brigade include: 29 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Detachment 1, Bravo Company Officer Lars Olsen from Chatham Helicopter Battalion, the battalion of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Avia- enlisted in the New York Army Na- flies the UH-60 Black Hawk helicop- tion, the unit flies the CH-47 heavy tional Guard on Oct. 16 and went di- ter. It has companies at Army Aviation lift helicopter from the Rochester rectly from Warrant Officer Candidate Support Facility 1 at McArthur Airport International Airport. The battalion’s School to Initial Entry Rotary Wing in Ronkonkoma and at Army Aviation headquarters is part of the Maryland training. Support Facility 3 at Albany Inter- Army National Guard. Detachments Despite some restrictions on train- national Airport in Latham. Another from the battalion’s Delta and Echo ing due to COVID-19, New York Army company is part of the Maine Army Companies are also stationed in National Guard pilots and aircrew National Guard. The battalion is com- Rochester and part of the New York conducted fire bucket training to pre- manded by Lt. Col. Mathias Green. Army National Guard. pare for firefighting missions. The senior enlisted leader is Com- Detachment 2, 1st Battalion, 224th mand Sgt. Maj. James Holloman. Soldiers based at the Long Island Security and Support Battalion, the flight facility trained with Depart- The 642nd Aviation Support Bat- unit flies the UH-72 Light Utility Heli- ment of Environmental Conservation talion, the aviation maintenance copter at Albany International Airport Rangers in June, while New York and battalion has elements in Rochester, During 2020, the 3rd Battalion, Connecticut Army National Guard he- Farmingdale, Olean and Dunkirk. The 142nd Aviation began replacing older licopter crews conducted joint training battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. UH-60 L Black Hawk helicopters with in firefighting at Camp Smith Training Shawn Hatch and the senior enlisted the latest UH-60M series Black Hawk. Site near Peekskill on May 19. Aircraft Soldier is Command Sgt. Maj. Robert The UH-60M is the latest model for from Latham conducted fire bucket Ravert. the Black Hawk helicopter and incor- training in May as well. The 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade porates upgraded T700-GE-701D The joint exercise was the result also exercises administrative control, engines, improved rotor blades, a fly- of a 2019 Emergency Management over the following units: by-wire glass cockpit, and better flight Interstate Compact between New Charlie Company of the 1st Battal- controls and aircraft navigation. The York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo ion 171st General Support Aviation aircraft provides 500 pounds more lift and Connecticut Governor Edward Battalion, this is a medical evacua- capability from prior versions. Lamont. tion helicopter unit which flies UH-60 The battalion will eventually have 20 “Connecticut is our neighbor to the Black Hawk helicopters which can UH-60M models. east, and there are many issues we be configured to carry stretchers and The 3-142nd also welcomed its first are dealing with that are enhanced employ personnel hoists and is based “street to seat” pilot in 2020. Warrant when we work cooperatively,” Cuomo at the Rochester International Airport.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to the New York Army National Guard approaches a helipad in New York City, April 16, 2020. New York National Guard members are supporting the multi-agency response to COVID-19.

Division of Military 30 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report diers: 1,481 enlisted Soldiers, 12 Warrant Officers and 141 officers. The command is authorized a strength of 1,677. The commander is Col. Jamey Bar- comb. The senior enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Maynard. The major elements of the 153rd Troop Command are: The 102nd Military Police Bat- talion, in Auburn with elements in Rochester, Hornell, Buffalo, Latham, and Utica. The subordinate units of the 102nd Military Police Battalion are the 222nd MP Company, 105th MP Company and 206th MP Company. The commander is Lt. Col. Monique Foster. The senior enlisted leader is New York Army Spc. Reagan Long, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Troccia. the 827th Engineer Company of the 204th Engineer Battalion,and Pfc. Naomi Velez, The 204th Engineer Battalion, a horizontal construction engineer assigned to the 152nd Engineer Support Company which is headquartered in Bingham- register people at a COVID-19 Mobile Testing Center in Glenn Island Park, New Rochelle, on Mar. 14, 2020. ton with elements in Kingston, Camp Smith Training site, Buffalo, Horseh- said at the time. ment, a small unit of officers and eads and Walton. The subordinate 53rd Troop Command non-commissioned officers who are units of the 204th Engineer Company trained to work in operations at corps are: the 204th Forward Support Com- The 53rd Troop Command is an ad- and army level commands. The 53rd pany, the 1156th Engineer Company ministrative headquarters located at Digital Liaison Detachment is com- the 153nd Engineer Company, and Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt manded by Col. Chris Guilmette. the 827th Engineer Company. The Manor, N.Y. and has command over commander is Lt. Col. Brandon Gen- a number of support and combat US Army Cyber Protection Team dron and the senior enlisted leader is service support units in the New York 173, a joint New York and New Jersey Command Sgt. Maj. David Youngs. Army National Guard. Army National Guard entity that focuses on defending U.S. computer The 501st Ordnance Battalion (Ex- The headquarters of the 53rd Troop networks against intrusion. The team plosive Ordnance Disposal), which Command is also responsible for op- is commanded by Lt. Col. Steven P. is headquartered at Glenville. The erations in the Hudson Valley during Perry Jr. subunits of the 501st Ordnance Bat- state emergencies. The 138th Public Affairs Detach- talion are: the 1108th Ordnance Com- The 53rd Troop Command is com- ment supported the 2020 Best War- pany (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), manded by Brig. Gen. Jack James. rior Competition at Camp Smith and the 1427th Medium Truck Company, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Ciam- the Adjutant General’s Marksman- and the 466th Area Medical Com- polillo is the troop command’s senior ship Match, while also covering New pany. The battalion commander is Lt. enlisted leader. York National Guard response to the Col. Douglas Baker and the senior The strength of the command was pandemic. enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Giamberdino Jr. 4,311 with an authorized strength of 153rd Troop Command 4,057 Soldiers. There were 3,915 During 2020, 247 members of the The 153rd Troop Command is head- enlisted Soldiers, 50 Warrant Officers 153rd Troop Command were mobi- quartered at the Connecticut Street and 346 officers in 53rd Troop Com- lized and deployed, 24 to Afghanistan Armory in Buffalo. mands units. and 121 to the southwest border. The 153rd Troop Command is and The major commands of the 53rd Twenty four members of the 206th administrative headquarters re- Troop Command are the 153rd Troop Military Police Company deployed to sponsible for combat support and Command, based at the Connecticut Afghanistan where they served as a combat service support units located Street Armory in Buffalo and the 369th security protection detail for a senior at armories in Western New York, Sustainment Brigade, head-quartered leader. The 466th Area Support Medi- Central New York, the Southern Tier, at the Fifth Avenue Armory in Harlem, cal Company deployed 55 Soldiers the North Country and the Capital New York. to Kuwait in support of missions in Region. The 53rd is also responsible for: the Middle East. These deployments The units of the 153rd Troop Com- where in federal Title 10 duty status. The 53rd Digital Liaison Detach- mand had a strength of 1634 Sol- 31 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard The 204th Engineer Battalion’s Avenue Armory in Harlem. 827th Engineer Company placed 121 The unit carries the lineage and Soldiers on Title 32 orders and they honors of the 369th Infantry Regi- deployed to assist the Border Patrol ment which was originally organized along the southwest border. Under as the 15th New York Infantry, a unit Title 32 orders, Guard Soldiers can for African-Americans within the New help enforce federal and state laws. York National Guard. The 466th Area Support Medical The 15th New York was renamed the Company, based in Queensbury, 369th Infantry in France and fought deployed 47 Soldiers to support with the French Army. The French missions in the Middle East in June, Army awarded the Croix de Guerre to 2020. 170 individual members of the 369th, During 2020, the Soldiers of the and a unit citation was awarded to the 153rd Troop Command continued to entire regiment. train while also supporting the CO- Sergeant Henry Johnson, a Soldier VID-19 pandemic response missions. in the 369th, became famous for his The 153rd stood up the headquarters actions in defeating a patrol of 24 for a joint task force from March to Germans on his own while on an out- June 2020, providing mission com- post mission. He was honored by the mand for 370 personnel at three French but was not recognized with COVID-19 testing sites in Western the Medal of Honor until 2015. New York. The 369th’s German opponents nick- Army National Guard Spc. Sherman Bristol, assigned to the 27th Finance These troops supported the adminis- named them the ” Hollenkampfer”, Management Battalion, sanitizes an tration of 27,173 COVID-19 tests and German for Hellfighters. The name 2,341 antibody tests at three locations auditorium at the New Rochelle City stuck but was not made official until Hall, New Rochelle, March 14, 2020. in Western New York. September 2020 when the Army of- In addition, Soldiers conducted ficially recognized the nickname. COVID-19 missions across the state The brigade has a strength of 2,528 from the Javits Center in New York to Soldiers: 161 officers, 26 warrant offi- Buffalo. cers, and 2,341 enlisted Soldiers. The The 102nd Military Police Battalion brigade is authorized 2,232 person- mobilized 92 Soldiers to respond to nel. potential civil unrest during the year. The brigade is commanded by Col. There were 42 Soldiers earmarked Seth Morgulas. The senior enlisted for operations in Rochester and 51 in leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Buffalo. They did not have to deploy Lampkins. to those cities. The 369th Sustainment Brigade The 204th Engineer Battalion con- consists of the following units: ducted engineer operations at Camp Smith Training Site as well as at The 369th Brigade Special Troops the Thompson Road Armory head- Battalion, which has elements in quarters of the 27th Infantry Brigade Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Combat Team at Hancock Field Air Peekskill, Camp Smith, New Wind- National Guard Base. sor, Farmingdale and Queens. Under the command of the 369th Brigade The 1156th Engineer Company Special Troops Battalion are: Head- improved an existing road at Camp quarters and Headquarters Company, A Soldier assigned to the 369th Sus- Smith, constructed a new land 369th Brigade Special Troops Battal- tainment Brigade makes a new friend navigation course, and upgraded the ion; the 187th Signal Support Com- in a therapy dog at the Javits New York electrical systems at two buildings in pany, the 145th Support Maintenance Medical Station in New York City April July during annual training. Company; the 133rd Composite 17, 2020. The dogs, trained through The battalion’s engineers constructed Supply Company, the 719th Transpor- the organization “Puppies Behind a site, with pull up bars, which will tation Company, the 1569th Transpor- Bars,” trained in state correctional fa- cilities, are part of a program to bolster allow Soldiers to take the new Army tation Company, and the 27th Finance Soldier and healthcare worker resilien- Combat FitnessTest. Management Support Unit. cy during operations at the Javits New 369th Sustainment Brigade The 369th Brigade Special Troops York Medical Station in Manhattan. The 369th Sustainment Brigade is Battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Ma- headquartered in the historic Fifth Michael Bedryk. The battalion’s senior jor Curtis Moss. Division of Military 32 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report During 2020 the 27th Finance Management Support Unit, com- manded by Maj. Sara Jean Mitchell was deployed to Afghanistan. The unit returned home in June of 2020. The 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion is headquartered in Yon- kers with elements in Peekskill and Orangeburg. The battalion, which has three subordinate companies, con- ducts theater-wide satellite communi- cations when deployed. The battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. Michael Hastings. The battalion’s senior enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Lugo. The 104th Military Police Battalion, headquartered in Kingston has ele- ments in Queens, Camp Smith and Fort Hamilton. The battalion’s sub- The 27th Finance Battalion welcomed Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the Adjutant General, elements include: the 442nd Military center, to their post-deployment Yellow Ribbon event at West Point August 19, 2020. Police Company, the 727 Military The event provides Soldiers and families with information and services to assist with transition back from active duty. Police Detachment; the 107th Mili- tary Police Company and the 222nd “And you’ll shed a tear and you ceased from a variety of causes, Chemical Company. The battalion is should because it will be sad. But, including drug overdoses, suicides commanded by Lt. Col. Steve Perry. you will also be proud. You’ll be proud and natural causes both COVID-19 During 2020, the Soldiers of the of what you did. You’ll be proud that and non-COVID-19. 369th Sustainment Brigade were you showed up. You showed up when Almost 200 Soldiers from the brigade at the heart of COVID-19 response other people played it safe. You had were part of that mission. the courage to show up. You had the operations in New York City and the Joint Force Headquarters surrounding region. skill and the professionalism to make a difference and save lives. That’s The New York Army National Guard 369th Soldiers ran COVID-19 testing what you will have done,” Governor Joint Force Headquarters includes a stations across the city, distributed Cuomo said. number of special units that do not fall millions of meals to New York City Soldiers from the 369th Sustainment under the control of the 42nd Infantry residents in need, and conducted Division or the 53rd Troop Command. logistics missions across the region. Brigade also played a vital part in supporting the over worked person- The strength of Joint Force Head- Of special significance were the ac- nel of the New York City Office of the quarters element was 820: 576 tions of Soldiers of the 133rd Com- Chief Medical Examiner in retrieving enlisted Soldiers, 204 officers, and 40 posite Supply Company in working the bodies of those who died from warrant officers. Authorized strength with Active Duty Army units to turn the COVID-19, and other causes, in their was 738. Jacob Javits Convention Center into apartments. an alternative medical treatment site The elements of the Joint Force for COVID-19 patients. Their actions In the first two weeks of the New York Headquarters include: were showcased in media reports National Guard mission, the daily toll The New York Army National which went around the world. from COVID-19 rose from 378 deaths Guard Recruiting and Retention on April 1, 2020, to 651 deaths on Battalion. The battalion, with a On March 27, Governor Andrew April 15, before dropping back to 429 M. Cuomo spoke to Soldiers of the strength of 253, is responsible for on May 1. City officials would report filling the ranks of the New York Army 133rd during a press conference and some 23,680 deaths before New York praised them for their work. National Guard. Recruiters work could reopen after flattening its curve across the state to bring in new Sol- “Ten years from now, you’ll be talking in the summer. diers and work with existing Soldiers about today to your children or your The 369th Soldiers supported in- to help them stay and make the New grandchildren and you will shed a tear home recovery of decedents, transfer York Army National Guard a career. because you will remember the lives of decedents from hospitals, opera- lost. You’ll remember the faces and The battalion runs the Recruit Sus- tion of a long-term storage facility in tainment Program which provides you’ll remember the names and you’ll Brooklyn, and many other mortuary remember how hard we worked and training to new recruits to prepare related tasks. The Soldiers worked them for Army basic training. that we still lost loved ones,” he said. 12-hour shifts, recovering the de- The battalion is commanded by Lt. 33 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Army National Guard Col. Joshua Heimroth. The senior enlisted leader is Command Sgt. Maj. Althea Robinsonhaddo. The New York Army National Guard Medical Command (MED- COM), which conducts medical readi- ness missions at locations across New York. The command is based at Watervliet Arsenal. During 2020 Soldiers assigned to the medical command played key roles in conducting COVID-19 response mis- sions at testing stations and during the transformation of the Jacob Javits Convention Center into an alternative care facility to treat COVID-19 pa- tients in New York City. Soldiers from MEDCOM played a The National Guard’s 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) graduated ten Soldiers from their 65th Officer Candidate School at Camp Smith August 29,2020. critical role at the end of 2020 by conducting a test COVID-19 vaccine Airmen had received the first dose of Force is commanded by Lt. Col. Wing program for New York Army and Air the vaccine. Yu. National Guard personnel. New York The Commander of MEDCOM is Col. Headquarters and Headquarters National Guard MEDCOM was one of Richard Green. Detachment, which is responsible a 16 locations around the world the for Soldiers assigned to Joint Force Department of Defense selected for a The New York Counterdrug Task Headquarters. The commander of the test run of the logistics needed to de- Force provides National Guard as- detachment is Maj. Amy Crounse. liver the COVID-19 vaccine to military sistance to law enforcement in the personnel. form of support from trained person- The 2nd Weapons of Mass De- nel, military equipment and helicopter struction Civil Support Team, at Four days after the Pfizer vaccine support. The task force also assists Stratton Air National Guard Base and was delivered to Watervliet Arsenal local anti-drug groups. The New York commanded by Lt. Col. John Sand- on Dec. 16, 2020, 975 Soldiers and National Guard Counterdrug Task efur.

Soldiers assigned to the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, participate in a container delivery system exercise at Fort Drum, N.Y., July 23, 2020. During the exercise a C-130J Hercules aircraft airdropped pallets of supplies. As part of the exercise Soldiers had to defend the drop zone from a simulated attack, and treat simulated casualties.

Division of Military 34 and Naval Affairs New York Army National Guard 2020 Annual Report The 24th Weapons of Mass De- struction Civil Support Team, at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and com- manded by Lt. Col. Andrew Couch- man. During COVID-19 the Soldiers and Airmen of the two Civil Support Teams provided rapid COVID-19 testing sup- port at the Javits Convention Center and at DMNA headquarters as well as other locations. They also contin- ued to conduct training missions and provide support for public events Detachment 5 Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, which flies the C-12 fixed wing pas- senger aircraft in support of personnel transportation missions. The 106th Infantry Regiment, Re- gional Training Institute New York Army National Guard 24th Civil Support Team Weapons of Mass Destruc- The 106th Regiment (RTI), is the tion is running a COVID-19 rapid mobile testing site to quickly test military and civilian New York Army National Guard’s Re- personnel on-site for the coronavirus if they show symptoms or think they were exposed. The testing is critical to verify the well-being of soldiers and civilians on the gional Training Institute, is headquar- front lines at the Javits Center on April 28, 2020. tered at Camp Smith Training Site. The RTI provides military occupa- Aircraft System Course. The battalion abilities of Soldiers. The battalion tional specialty qualification, medical is commanded by Lt. Col. Robert C. instructs Officer Candidate School, training, Officer Candidate School, Staley. The Senior Instructor is Mas- 68W (Medical Specialist) Sustain- and general studies training for the ter Sgt. Jeffrey W. Gross. ment Course, the Combat Lifesaver Army National Guard the United 2nd Battalion, 106th Regiment, Course, CPR Course, Future Leader States Army Reserve, and Active is a Modular Training Battalion that Course, the Tactical Athlete Course, Component by working in conjunction plans, resources and executes train- government Bus Driver Training, with the United States Army Infantry ing in accordance with Army Training and the Common Faculty Develop- School (proponent for OCS, 11B10 and Doctrine Command Regulations ment Instructor Course. The battalion MOSQ, 11B2/3 MOS-T, and Small and New York Army National Guard is commanded by Lt. Col. William J. Unmanned Aircraft System Operator requirements in order to increase the Morrissey. The battalion’s senior en- courses). readiness, lethality and leadership listed leader in 2020 was Master Sgt. The 106th RTI is commanded by Col. Ashvin M. Thimmaiah. Diane Armbruster. The senior enlisted leader position was being held by Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Landy, the operations NCO during 2020. In federal fiscal year 2020, the 106th Regiment trained and graduated 389 Soldiers from its courses. At the end of federal fiscal year 2020 there were 83 personnel assigned to 106th RTI: 68 enlisted Soldiers and 15 officers. The regiment has two subordinate training battalions: The 1st Battalion, 106th Regiment, is an infantry training battalion which provides professionally trained and certified instructors. 1st Battalion, 106th Regiment instructs the 11B In- fantryman Course, Maneuver Tactics Joint Task Force Civil Support New York/New Jersey Commanding General Maj. Foundation Course, Combative Level Gen. William Hall coins service members assigned to the 24th Civil Support Team 1 and 2, and the Small Unmanned outside the Jacob Javits Center Medical Station, May 20, 2020.

35 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Annual Training Unit Name Start Date End Date Location 53RD TRP CMD 2019/10/01 2020/09/30 Year Round Training HQ 106TH REGT (RTI) 2019/10/01 2020/09/29 CAMP SMITH, NY 501 ORDNANCE BN 2019/10/01 2020/09/30 Year Round Training 1108 ORDNANCE COMPANY 2019/10/01 2020/09/30 Year Round Training 138 CHAPLAIN DETACH 2019/10/01 2020/09/29 CAMP SMITH, NY 10TH MCP-OD (DIV) 2019/10/01 2020/09/30 FT POLK, LA 138 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETACH 2019/10/01 2020/09/30 CAMP SMITH, NY 27 HQ FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 2019/10/01 2019/10/15 Year Round Training 0042 AG BND OPERATING FORCE 2019/10/28 2019/10/31 FT BRAGG, NC 206 MP COMPANY 2019/11/03 2019/11/17 CAMP SMITH, NY 42ND DIVISION REAR DET 2020/01/05 2020/01/19 FT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA 1569 TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 2020/03/12 2020/03/18 FT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA 4TH FINANCE DETACH 2020/04/19 2020/05/03 Year Round Training 466 MEDICAL COMPANY (REAR) 2020/05/27 2020/06/27 Year Round Training 466 MEDICAL COMPANY (REAR) 2020/06/01 2020/06/19 CAMP SMITH, NY PMT 369 SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE 2020/07/09 2020/07/23 NEW YORK, NY 104th MP BATTALION 2020/07/10 2020/07/24 KINGSTON, NY 222 CHEMICAL COMPANY 2020/07/10 2020/07/24 FT HAMILTON, NY 442 MP COMPANY 2020/07/10 2020/07/24 JAMAICA, NY 107 MP COMPANY 2020/07/10 2020/07/24 FT HAMILTON, NY C COMPANY 1-171 AVIATION (MEDEVAC) 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA 27TH IBCT HEADQUARTERS 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY A, 1-69 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/09/30 NEW YORK, NY COMPANY B, 1-69 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 NEW YORK, NY COMPANY C, 1-69 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 NEW YORK, NY COMPANY D, 1-69 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/09/30 FARMINGDALE, NY HEADQUARTERS, 1-69 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/09/30 NEW YORK, NY COMPANY A, 152ND BDE ENGINEER BN 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY DET 2, COMPANY D, 3-126 AVIATION 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA DET 2, COMPANY E, 3-126 AVIATION 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA DET 2, HEADQUARTERS, 3-126 AVIATION 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA BATTERY A, 1-258 FIELD ARTILLERY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY BATTERY B, 1-258 FIELD ARTILLERY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY BATTERY C, 1-258 FIELD ARTILLERY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY HEADQUARTERS, 1-258 FIELD ARTILLERY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY 719 TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 CAMP SMITH, NY COMPANY F, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 CONUS COMPANY G, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY H, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY HEADQUARTERS, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/11 2020/07/25 FT DRUM, NY Army National Guard Spc. Micheal Rivera, an aircraft electrician assigned to Bravo Com- pany, 642 Aviation Support Battalion, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, qualifies with an M4 rifle during the state Best Warrior Compe- tition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., July 25, 2020. The Best Warrior Competition, held July 25-26, 2020, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commis- sioned officers from various New York Army National Guard units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as physical fitness and endurance.

Division of Military 36 and Naval Affairs Annual Training 2020 Annual Report COMPANY B, 2-108 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY C, 2-108 INFANTRY 2020/07/11 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY 42ND DIVISION BAND 2020/07/11 2020/07/21 CORTLAND, NY 4 FINANCIAL DETACHMENT 2020/07/12 2020/07/26 WATERVILLE, NY 1156 ENGINEER COMPANY 2020/07/12 2020/07/26 CAMP SMITH, NY 1427 TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 2020/07/13 2020/08/02 FT DRUM, NY 222 MP COMPANY 2020/07/13 2020/08/14 ROCHESTER, NY 187 SIGNAL COMPANY 2020/07/13 2020/07/27 FARMINGDALE, NY COMPANY B, 152 BRIGADE ENGINEER BN 2020/07/13 2020/07/27 FT DRUM, NY 827 ENGINEER COMPANY 2020/07/13 2020/07/27 CAMP SMITH, NY 53 DIGITAL LIAISON DETACHMENT 2020/07/15 2020/07/29 CAMP SMITH, NY 145 MAINTENANCE COMPANY 2020/07/15 2020/07/29 STATEN ISLAND, NY A TROOP, 2-101 CAVALRY 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY B TROOP, 2-101 CAVALRY 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY C TROOP, 2-101 CAVALRY 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY HEADQUARTERS TROOP, 2-101 CAVALRY 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY C, 152 BRIGADE ENGINEER BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 BUFFALO, NY COMPANY D, 152 BRIGADE ENGINEER BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY HEADQUARTERS, 152 BRIGADE ENGINEER BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY B, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY C, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY D, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY E, 427 BRIGADE SUPPORT BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 BUFFALO, NY HEADQUARTERS, 427 BRIGADE SPT BN 2020/07/17 2020/07/31 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY C, 1-171 AVIATION 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 ROME, NY DET 2, COMPANY A, 1-224 AVIATION 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 FT DRUM, NY DET 1, COMPANY A, 642 SUPPORT BN 2020/05/02 2020/05/16 ROME, NY COMPANY B, 642 SUPPORT BN 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 ORISKANY, NY COMPANY C, 642 SUPPORT BN 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 ROME, NY DET 1, COMPANY B, 3-126 AVIATION 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 ROME, NY HEADQUARTERS, 42 COMBAT AVN BDE 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY B, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/18 2020/08/01 FT DRUM, NY DET 3, COMPANY E, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/18 2020/08/03 FT DRUM, NY 1569 TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 2020/07/20 2020/07/27 JB MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST COMPANY A, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/20 2020/08/03 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY D, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/20 2020/08/03 FT DRUM, NY COMPANY E, 3-142 AVIATION 2020/07/20 2020/08/03 FT DRUM, NY 133 COMPOSITE SUPPLY COMPANY 2020/07/30 2020/08/13 FT HAMILTON, NY 4 FINANCIAL DETACHMENT 2020/07/31 2020/08/14 WHITESTONE, NY 7 FINANCIAL DETACHMENT 2020/07/31 2020/08/14 WHITESTONE, NY 14 FINANCIAL DETACHMENT 2020/07/31 2020/08/14 WHITESTONE, NY 105 MP COMPANY 2020/08/10 2020/08/24 YOUNGSTOWN, NY 1108 ORDNANCE COMPANY 2020/08/12 2020/09/10 SCOTIA, NY 1108 ORDNANCE COMPANY 2020/08/12 2020/09/11 CONUS 272 MP DETACHMENT 2020/08/15 2020/08/29 CAMP SMITH, NY 204 ENGINEER QUARRY PLATOON 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 FT DRUM, NY FORWARD SPT CO, 204 ENGINEER BN 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 FT DRUM, NY HEADQUARTERS, 204 ENGINEER BN 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 FT DRUM, NY 1156 ENGINEER COMPANY 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 CAMP SMITH, NY 1156 ENGINEER COMPANY (VERTICAL) 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 CAMP SMITH, NY 152 ENGINEER COMPANY 2020/08/22 2020/09/05 BUFFALO, NY CYBER TEAM 173 2020/09/12 2020/09/26 FT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA CYBER TEAM 173 2020/09/12 2020/09/26 FT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA COMPANY A, 642 SUPPORT BATTALION 2020/09/13 2020/09/27 DUNKIRK, NY COMPANY A, 642 SUPPORT BATTALION 2020/09/13 2020/09/27 ROCHESTER, NY 206 MP COMPANY 2020/11/04 2020/11/17 CAMP SMITH, NY

37 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Army National Guard Aviation

The New York Army National Guard operates a fleet of 30 helicopters --22 UH-60 Black Hawks, six CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters and two UH-72 Light Utility Helicopters-- one C-12 seven-passenger fixed wing aircraft, and four RQ-7BV2 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles. In federal fiscal year 2020, New York Army National Guard aviators flew 4,163.8 hours. $2.3 million was bud- geted to cover these flying hours. New York Army Aviation met an 88 percent fully mission capable rate for its aircraft. New York Army National Guard Spc. Jordie Hernandez and Sgt. Fatima Adesanya, New York Army National Guard avia- assigned to the 145th Support Maintenance Company, perform hand and arm signals during a sling load training mission at the Army Aviation Safety Facility in Ronkonko- tion units are equipped with 22 UH-60 ma, N.Y., on November 24, 2020. Black Hawk helicopters. In 2020 the New York Army National Guard The remaining UH-60s are flown Detachment 1, Company B of the 3rd received four of the latest M models by the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Battalion, 126th Aviation, is stationed of the aircraft, which has been in the Helicopter Battalion which has Alpha at the Rochester flight facility and op- inventory since the early 1980s. Dur- Company at Army Aviation Support erates the six CH-47F Chinook dual ing 2021 more of the newer aircraft Facility #3 at Albany International rotor helicopters. will replace older UH-60s. Airport; and Bravo Company, located These aircraft can carry a heavier Five UH-60s configured as air ambu- at Army Aviation Support Facility #1 at load than the UH-60s and provide lance helicopters are flown by Charlie McArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. New York with a significant airlift ca- Company, 1st Battalion, and 171st Two of the UH60Ms were assigned pability. Throughout Fiscal Year 2020, General Support Aviation Battalion. to each company at the end of 2020. the CH-47s successfully provided The company operates from Army The UH-60 M “Mike” is a state of the support for 15 missions in New York, Aviation Support Facility #2 in Roch- art fully digital glass cockpit equipped Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. ester. with a Flight Management System, The unit had been going to support These aircraft are configured to hold Multi-Function Displays, and Flight the Rhode Island National Guard’s stretchers and carry a flight medic. Director. annual “Leapfest” international mili- They are also equipped with hoists The Flight Management System tary parachuting competition. But this systems for medical evacuation. The controls all of the radios, transponder, was canceled due to the pandemic. aircraft are used for medical evacu- and navigation on one interface. It Instead, Bravo Company supported ation missions at home and while can also take environmental data and paradrop qualifications at Quonset deployed. produce information that gives crews Point, Rhode Island on three separate the ability to determine aircraft per- occasions during the summer months. formance such as; how much weight Over 150 paratroopers qualified. the aircraft can take, how much power Conducting the mission qualified is available, when it will arrive at its three New York Army National Guard destination, etc. flight crews to conduct parachute The Multi-Functional Displays in- operations. Bravo Company also sup- crease situational awareness with a ported paradrop operations at Camp moving map feature. This also helps Dawson, West Virginia, supporting the pilots with scanning by placing 11 high altitude jumpers who jumped the airspeed, altimeter, vertical speed from more than 11,000 feet. indicator, altitude indicator, heading At the onset of the COVID-19 indicator, and turn coordinator all in pandemic, the CH-47s out of Army one centralized location. Aviation Support Facility #2 provided New York Army National Guard air- 246The Flight Director allows pilots two aircrews ready to deploy within crew members from Bravo Company, to couple up to an auto pilot function. 4 hours of notice, and two additional 3rd Battalion, 126 Aviation had a great This allows the aircraft to be capable crews within 24 hours notice based views of the Hudson River during a of holding a heading, air speed, alti- out of Army Aviation Facility Support training flight on July 15, 2020. tude, and flying hands off. #2 to provide aid in patient and equip- Division of Military 38 and Naval Affairs Army National Guard Aviation 2020 Annual Report

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter con- The New York Army National Guard partnered with the Connecticut Army National ducts water bucket training in River- Guard to jointly prepare UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews for the 2020 wildfire head, June 12, 2020. season by conducting water bucket training on the Hudson River on May 19, 2020. flight hours that consisted of 78.3 ment movement, as well as respond- talion, 245th Aviation Regiment. hours in a simulator located at Army ing to a mass casualty event. The C-12, a military version of the Aviation Support Facility #2 in Roch- In fiscal 2020, the CH-47 main- Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop, ester, New York and 47.1 live flight tenance personnel experienced a can be used to fly passengers and hours at Fort Drum, New York and transition to a new task-oriented carry priority cargo. The unit five other various locations. maintenance methodology known as pilots and an operations NCO. Maintenance Steering Group-3.This Detachment 5, flew 301 hours in FY “top-down” approach looks at poten- 2020 supporting COVID-19 missions tial effects of a functional failure. and senior leader movements. The The CH-47s were also upgraded with unit was able to qualify a pilot, an the installation of Extended Range instructor pilot, and a standardization Fuel Systems II. This system allows instructor pilot during fiscal 2020. up to three 725 gallon fuel tanks to be The four RQ-7BV2 Shadow aircraft installed in the large cargo bay in 15 are used to provide overhead re- minutes. This is in addition to 1,050 connaissance for the 27th Infantry gallons of fuel the helicopter carries Brigade Combat Team. They are op- normally. erated by Detachment 1, Delta Com- The two UH-72 Lakota light utility pany of the 152nd Brigade Engineer helicopters are flown by Detachment Battalion and based at the Rochester 2 of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, International Airport. 224th Aviation Regiment. The detachment consists of 25 per- The aircraft are based at Albany In- sonnel which includes; 13 Unmanned ternational Airport and are dedicated aircraft operators, nine of which are to homeland response missions. The currently qualified, and nine maintain- UH-72s are configured with forward ers. looking infrared radar systems and During 2020, the detachment con- hoists which allow them to be used for ducted joint training with California’s search and rescue missions. tactical unmanned aircraft systems They are also used to support New platoon in January and February. The York National Guard Counterdrug Soldiers also conducted two weeks Task Force missions in support of lo- of flight operations at Fort Drum, New cal and state law enforcement agen- York in July of 2020, and one week in Two New York Army National Guard cies. August. Aviators get ready for a flight before The C-12 is flown by Detachment 5 In 2020 the Shadow detachment’s they conduct water bucket training on of Charlie Company of the 2nd Bat- Soldiers completed a total of 125.4 the Hudson River on May, 19 2020. 39 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Air National Guard

Airmen from the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard in Oxnard, Calif., deliver 200 ventilators to members of the 105th Airlift Wing, April 7, 2020, at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y. The use of the C-130J Super Hercules, with Soldiers and vehicles from the N.Y. Army National Guard, facilitated the shipment of medical equipment to support COVID-19 medical treat- ments conducted in the New York and New Jersey areas.

The New York Air National Guard is ees of the Air Guard who are required operates nine C-17 Globemaster III the largest Air Guard in the United to be Air National Guard members as strategic airlifters, which have a range States. The New York Air National well. of more than 3,000 miles. The United Guard is authorized a strength of In 2020 the New York Air National States Marine Corps Reserve’s Ma- 5,876 and had an assigned strength Guard operated six HH-60 Pave rine Aerial Refueler Transport Squad- of 5,757 at the end of 2020. Hawk search and rescue helicop- ron 452, which flies the KC-130 cargo The force consists of five flying ters, four HC-130 search and rescue and air refueling aircraft, is also based wings, the Eastern Air Defense Sector planes, nine C-17 Globemaster III at Stewart. which includes the 224th Air Defense strategic airlifters, 10 LC-130 ski- The wing is commanded by Brig. Group and the headquarters, New equipped transports, two C-130 cargo Gen. Denise Donnell. The Senior York Air National Guard. planes and 12 MQ-9 remotely piloted Enlisted Leader is Command Chief The New York Air National Guard is aircraft. Master Sgt. Joseph Caulfield. part of the Air National Guard of the The commander of the New York Air The wing has an authorized strength United States, which is one of two National Guard is Maj. Gen. Timothy of 1,305 and had 1,333 assigned in reserve components of the United LaBarge. The Senior Enlisted Leader 2020. The wing’s full-time workforce States Air Force. The other reserve is Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny includes 239 Active Guard and Re- component is the Air Force Reserve. Richardson. serve Airmen and 188 Title 32 federal Of the total New York Air National 105th Airlift Wing technicians. Guard strength, 1,596 Airmen are The 105th Airlift Wing is based at The C-17 requires a crew of three, members of the Active Guard and Stewart Air National Guard base in a pilot, copilot and loadmaster. The Reserve force, while 945 are federal Newburgh, New York. The wing is cargo is loaded through an aft ramp technicians who are civilian employ- a part of Air Mobility Command and that is large enough to accommodate Division of Military 40 and Naval Affairs New York Air National Guard 2020 Annual Report a M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank or the During federal fiscal year 2020 the COVID-19, the 105th engaged all newly developed Negatively Pres- wing flew a total of 3,571 hours and members in months of intensive train- surized Conex (NPC) system which transported 8.7 million pounds of ing designed to test the Airmen’s abil- was heavily utilized overseas for cargo and 5,641 passengers during ity to survive and operate in a Chemi- COVID-19 aeromedical evacuation 291 missions. The wing reported a cal, Biological, Radiological and missions. readiness rate of 88.5%, the highest Nuclear environment. The training The 105th Airlift Wing routinely mo- in the Air Force C-17 fleet. was so immersive and comprehen- bilizes and deploys aircrews and air- During 2020 the wing deployed 29 sive that the Marines also participated craft to support United States military members of the 105th Base Defense along with the Airmen. missions around the world. In 2020 Squadron to Central Command to The COVID-19 pandemic had a ma- the wing conducted missions in the assist the Air Force Office of Special jor impact on wing operations during Central Command, Africa Command, Investigations. 2020. Northern Command and Europe. In the first quarter of 2020, prior to The wing was scheduled to support an air show in South Africa as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program which was canceled due to the pandemic. July 2020 to December 2020, the 137th Airlift Squadron deployed more than 25 aircrew members to Ramstein, Germany in support of aeromedical evacuation tasking’s. Two aircrews consisting of members from the 105th accomplished 26 over- all missions. Thirteen COVID-19 specific mis- sions were accomplished utilizing the recently developed NPC system. The NPC has provided a safe means for transporting Department of Defense Members of the 105th Airlift Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron conduct a ruck personnel who are fighting COVID-19 march as a part of a unit cohesion exercise, October 4, 2020, at Stewart Air National since its inception in May 2020 and is Guard Base, Newburgh, NY. Airmen simulated that they were rescuing a downed pilot configured for the C-17 Globemaster and set off to complete the mission with their equipment and a stretcher. III and C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft to safely transport up to 28 passengers or 23 patients, including ambulatory and litter, around the globe. The two 137th teams retrieved almost 100 military personnel from undisclosed locations down range who had contracted COVID-19 and transported more than 840,000 lbs. of cargo as well as a total of 640 pas- sengers. More than 200 members of the wing were part of the New York National Guard’s COVID-19 response during 2020. Wing members conducted a wide variety of missions and the wing employed one of its massive hangers as a warehouse for critical medical supplies. The wing also provided an air planner to the state emergency operations center. Airman 1st Class Daquiel Duncan and Staff Sgt. Derek Presto of the 105thAirlift Thirteen 105th Airmen were part of Wing Maintenance Squadron, conduct a hard-point inspection during the servicing of the mission to assist the New York a C-17 Globemaster III, March 7, 2020, at the 105th AIrlift Wing, Stewart Air National City Office of Chief Medical Examiner Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y. in removing human remains. The 41 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Air National Guard team assisted in the recovery of more U.S. and allied forces. The wing also Squadron which consists of the com- than 900 decedents. conducts search and rescue and per- bat rescue officers, pararescuemen Wing members responded to assist sonnel recovery missions in support and survival, escape, evasion and in the aftermath of Tropical Storm of federal and state authorities when resistance specialists. Isais with 40 personal assisting local required. The 102nd Rescue Squadron is the governments in the Hudson Valley. The wing operates four HC-130J oldest flying element in the Air Nation- The wing also supported Thanksgiv- Combat King search and rescue al Guard and one of the oldest in the ing meal distribution to needy resi- aircraft and six HH-60G Pave Hawk Air Force. The unit traces its lineage dents in Middleburgh with 15 person- search and rescue helicopters. The back to the 1st Aero Company of the nel. HC-130J aircraft is capable of refuel- New York National Guard which was Fifty members of the Base Defense ing helicopters in mid-air to extend formally recognized by the federal Squadron took part in 40 hours of civil their range. The HC-130s can also government in 1916. disturbance training during the sum- deploy pararescue jumpers and their During 2020 the wing flew 1,618 mer, in the event local police needed hours. The mission readiness rate assistance during demonstrations. for the 101st Rescue Squadron was The 105th still made time to conduct 64.33% while the readiness rate for a variety of training missions. The the 102nd Rescue Squadron was Force Support Squadron conducted 79.09%. home station readiness evaluations During 2020 members of the 106th of 10 mission essential tasks to Security Forces Squadron deployed include accountability, field lodging, to the Central Command area of op- field feeding, and search and recov- erations to airbases in Qatar and Iraq. ery operations. The Base Defense More than 300 members of the 106th Squadron conducted weapons train- Rescue Wing were part of COVID-19 ing, task sustainment training and response efforts during 2020. The civil disturbance training. A team from wing established COVID-19 testing the squadron also assisted the 820th sites at Jones Beach and Stony Brook Base Defense Squadron at Moody and deployed Airmen and medical Air Force Base with heavy weapons technicians across the downstate qualifications. New York region during the year. 106th Rescue Wing Of special significance was the May The 106th Rescue Wing is based deployment of 14 pararescue Airmen at Gabreski Air National Guard Base to Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, one in Westhampton Beach. It is one of of the medical facilities hardest hit the three air rescue wings in the Air with COVID-19 patients during the National Guard. New York Air National Guard Staff early days of the pandemic. Sgt. Christopher Clay, a firefighter as- At the end of 2020 the wing was signed to 106th Rescue Wing, based The Airmen created a system for commanded by Col. Shawn P. at Gabreski Air National Guard Base in monitoring ventilator management Fitzgerald, a qualified Combat Res- Westhampton, N.Y., conducts rope res- and distribution and relieved the cue Officer who is also a veteran of cue training as part of Northern Strike overburdened hospital staff of that the U.S. Army. The Senior Enlisted 20 at the Alpena Combat Readiness mission. They also conducted “prone Leader is Command Chief Master Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, July positional therapy,” known as “pron- Sgt. Michael Hewson. 25, 2020. ing” for short, which involved putting a During New York State Emergen- COVID-19 patient on their stomach to cies, Fitzgerald also serves as the equipment into sea and land environ- improve their ability to breath. commander of the New York National ment. This therapy required a great deal of Guard emergency response in Nas- The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters strength. The pararescue Airmen, be- sau and Suffolk Counties. are equipped with rescue hoists to al- cause they are all in excellent physi- At the end of federal fiscal year 2020 low the recovery of personnel without cal shape, were perfect for this mis- the wing was authorized 1,056 mem- landing. sion, according to hospital officials. bers and had an assigned strength of The key components of the 106th The Airmen worked 12 hour shifts 1,129. This included 268 Active Guard Rescue Wing are the 101st Res- and were on duty for four weeks. and Reserve Airmen and 70 Title 32 cue Squadron, which operates the Members of the 106th Rescue Technicians. HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopters, Wing’s Fire Department deployed to The wing deploys worldwide to pro- the 102nd Rescue Squadron which the Michigan Air National Guard’s vide combat search and rescue, and operates the HC-130J Combat King Alpena Combat Readiness Training personnel recovery, capabilities for Aircraft, and the 103rd Rescue Center in July in support of Operation Division of Military 42 and Naval Affairs New York Air National Guard 2020 Annual Report Northern Strike, an annual readiness center on the base. Strategic Command’s 2020 Global exercise. The wing is commanded by Col. Lighting exercise, an annual com- When a massive fire struck down- Gary Charlton. The Senior Enlisted mand post and battle staff training town Alpena July 21, four 106th Leader is Command Chief Master event. Rescue Wing firefighters assisted in Sgt. Edward Stefik. The 274th ASOS provides Joint Tacti- the response to the fire. The wing had a strength of 725 Air- cal Air Controllers who manage air The 106th Civil Engineer Squadron men at the end of federal fiscal year assets for ground controllers. These and the 106th Security Forces Squad- 2020. highly trained personnel embed with ron teamed up in 2020 to construct Army units to support Army and coali- In federal fiscal year 2020, the 136th tion troops on the ground. During and install a new security barrier at Attack Squadron flew 567 sorties the base’s front gate. 2020 the 274th deployed 12 Airmen to totaling 10,427 hours of flight time, support U.S. missions. May 15th, the 106th Rescue Wing maintaining patrols above U.S. and conducted a flyover of Long Island’s coalition forces in overseas opera- The 107th Security Forces Squadron COVID-19 hospitals and testing sites tional areas. deployed Airmen to air base defense and security missions at Al Udeid, to honor health care workers. The The wing deployed 204 Airmen to flight, conducted by a HC-130 and Qatar; Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi 12 different counties during 2020 in Arabia; Oman, Muwaffaq Salti Air two HH-60s, were part of a nation- support of Operations Inherent Re- wide flyover event conducted by the Base, Jordan; and Al Asad Airbase, solve, Freedom Sentinel and Spartan Iraq. Air Force to honor health care work- Shield. ers across the country. 107th security forces Airmen as- Wing members also played major 107th Attack Wing signed to the Al Asad Airbase were roles in the New York National Guard part of the response after Iranian mis- The 107th Attack Wing is based at response to the COVID-19 pandemic. siles hit the base on January 8, 2020, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in The wing’s elements also include in response to the U.S. decision to kill Niagara Falls, which it shares with the 222nd Command and Control a top Iranian commander. The Airmen the 914th Air Refueling Wing of the Squadron, which is located at the helped to rescue trapped personnel Air Force Reserve. Elements of the former Griffis Air Force Base outside and were recognized by the award New York Army National Guard’s 2nd of Rome, and the 274th Air Support of a Bronze Star to one Airman and Squadron, 101st Cavalry, an Army Operations Squadron (ASOS) at Han- three Air Force Commendation Med- Reserve medical unit and a Military cock Field Air National Guard Base. als. Entry Processing Station are also located on the base. The 222nd is a space systems unit. The 107th Civil Engineer Squadron During, federal fiscal year 2020 the deplolyed 17 members to Guanta- The 107th Attack Wing’s primary 222nd participated in a demonstration namo Bay, 11 members to Al Udied, mission is to operate MQ-9 remotely of the Defense Advanced Research Qatar, and 7 members to Al Dhafra piloted aircraft. The wing does not Projects Agency’s Hallmark technol- Airbase in the United Arab Emirates. maintain any aircraft itself but pro- ogy to track orbiting objects as part of They conducted a number of critical vides aircrew and support staff to space domain awareness efforts. The engineering projects in each location. conduct missions from a command 222nd also participated in the U.S.

An LC-130 “Skibird” assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing sits at on the skiway at Willliams Field, Ant- arctica, on Feb. 6, 2020. The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing flies the largest ski-equipped aircraft in the world and supports Antarctic research.

43 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Air National Guard New York City residents. 109th Airlift Wing The 109th Airlift Wing is based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia. The wing is the only unit in the United States military which special- izes in flying aircraft equipped with ski landing systems which enable them to land on snow or ice in the polar regions. The 10 LC-130 “Ski Birds” are the largest ski-equipped planes in the world. The wing supports National Science Foundation research in Antarctica and Greenland and stands ready to provide support to U.S. and allied forces in the Arctic as well. A Pararescue specialist from the 106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., conducts a parachute landing at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Along with the 10 LC-130s the wing Michigan as part of the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, during Northern also operates two traditional C-130H Strike 20, July 20, 2020. Northern Strike is an annual National Guard exercise that cargo planes. draws units from all active-duty and reserve branches so they can conduct training The wing is commanded by Col. missions and joint fires integration. Christian Sander. The Senior Enlisted The wing’s civil engineers also Of special significance,14 Airmen of Leader is Command Chief Master worked with their counterparts to the 107th Attack Wing Fatality Search Sgt. Jeffrey Trottier. construct a static display stand for a and Recovery Team deployed to New The wing has an authorized strength historic C-130 at the base gate. They York City to aid the Office of the Chief of 1,161 Airmen and had an assigned also executed a number of projects at Medical Examiner in recovering bod- strength of 1,112 at the end of federal Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. ies of those who died in their homes fiscal year 2020. Over 150 wing personnel were and in nursing homes during the pandemic. During 2020 the wing flew 811 involved in the massive COVID-19 missions for a total of 2,255.9 flying response mission executed by the That specially trained team was the hours. New York National Guard during vanguard of a response which even- 2020. Wing members manned testing tually grew to almost 300 Soldiers and A total of 338 Airmen deployed on sites and conducting a variety of other Airmen. The team recovered and pro- federal missions during the year. missions. cessed the remains of almost 2,000 Wing Airmen flew 203 missions in support of United States Antarctic Research as part of Operation Deep Freeze, the annual U.S. military sup- port the National Science Foundation. This totaled 994.5 flying hours for federal fiscal year 2020. For the total 2019-2020 support season the wing’s Airmen transported 2,100 research and support staff, 2.8 million pounds of cargo and 1.8 million pounds of fuel to research stations across the continent. A total of 324 Airmen were involved in that mission. Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, the wing’s 2020-2021 support mission was abbreviated. The wing initially Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Bowman and Tech. Sgt. Eric Norman of deployed three aircraft and three air- the 107th Attack Wing at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station conduct initial entry crews to Christchurch, New Zealand screening station for members of the 107th Attack Wing preparing to conduct pan- in November 2020. Christchurch is demic response missions, April 8, 2020. eight hours flying away from Antarc- Division of Military 44 and Naval Affairs New York Air National Guard 2020 Annual Report tica. The concept was that the air- crews would only make support flights when necessary instead of basing at McMurdo Station as they normally do. The wing initially deployed 31 per- sonnel. Later on the wing deployed a fourth LC-130 and the aircraft did move to Antarctica for mission support. The wing’s support for Greenland science research was also reduced during the pandemic. The wing flew 58 missions to support Greenland Research during 2020, for a total of 164.5 flying hours during the summer months. During 2020 the wing flew 138 Greenland missions for a total of 547.5 flying hours. The 109th Airlift Wing also took part in two multi-national joint exercises Col. William J. McCrink III, 174th Attack Wing commander, removes the nametape in Alaska in 2020, Arctic Eagle and for the symbolic commander name change on his wing aircraft during a Change of Arctic Edge. Command ceremony held at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, May 3, 2020. Sixty-five Airmen and two LC-130 Arctic Eagle 2020 consisted of train- Thirty members of the 109th Airlift participated in the exercises which fo- ing events at multiple locations in Wing took part in an exercise at Nellis cused on Arctic operations in defense Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Terri- Air Force Base outside of Las Vegas of Alaska and civil support missions. tory. About 900 Air and Army National which tested the Advanced Battle Guard members from 15 states took Management System. The New York part in Exercise Arctic Eagle 2020 Airmen airlifted in four missiles and across Alaska February 20 to March missile loaders to arm F-16s taking 7. part in the operation. Arctic Edge 20 is a North American The 109th Airmen also airlifted in se- Aerospace Defense Command and curity forces Airmen from Joint Base U.S. Northern Command exercise McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst who patrolled scheduled every two years. Alaskan the base perimeter with Ghost Robot- Command serves as the host head- ics Vision 60 robots, often referred to quarters for the training exercise as “robot dogs”. which ran from February 24 to March Locally, members of the 109th’s fire 6, 2020. department conducted training on fast One thousand U.S. military person- water rescues at the New York State nel took part in the multi-service Arctic Department of Homeland Security Edge exercise along with members of and Emergency Services at its Swift the Canadian Armed Forces. Water and Flood Training Center in The wing took part in a drill involving Oriskany. the deployment of HIMARS, a rocket 109th Airlift Wing members were an launching artillery system, utilizing the integral part of the response to the C-130 to carry the weapon system. COVID-19 pandemic and the wing’s The launcher was deployed, fired and command served as the headquarters Tactical Air Control Party specialists then recovered. for COVID-19 missions in the Albany with the 274th Air Support Operations region. Squadron, 107th Attack Wing, discuss Twenty-one wing Airmen deployed tactics during a close-air support train- in support of Operation Freedom’s 174th Attack Wing ing exercise at Fort Drum, N.Y., July 7, Sentinel in Afghanistan, 32 deployed The 174th Attack Wing is based at 2020. The 274th conducts training to as part of Operation Southern Watch Hancock Field Air National Guard maintain readiness and stay proficient in Central Command and 11 for Op- coordinating and synchronizing ground Base in Syracuse and operates the eration Inherent Resolve, operations MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft. The operations with fixed wing aircraft pro- against the Islamic State. viding cover and support. wing operates the MQ-9 on combat

45 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Air National Guard missions from a command-and- operational MQ-9 missions, com- had to shadow MQ-9s flying in and control facility on the base and also pleted 7,075.6 flying hours conducting around Hancock Field. conducts training for MQ-9 aircrews combat air patrols for forward de- The Field Training Detachment, and maintenance personnel for the ployed forces. which trains MQ-9 maintenance Total Air Force and foreign air forces. Also, during 2020, the 138th Attack personnel, trained 196 students dur- The wing had a strength of 1,070 Air- Squadron reached the milestone of ing 6,343 hours of instruction. This men at the end of federal fiscal year flying more than 60,000 hours since number included 25 students from 2020. Of these, 677 were drill status the wing converted from the F-16 France, the United Kingdom and the Airmen. fighter to the MQ-9 in 2010. Netherlands. The 174th Attack wing is command- The 108th Attack Squadron, which The 174th Attack Wing also in- ed by Col. Willliam McCrink III. The trains MQ-9 aircrew, conducted 4,408 cludes the 152nd Air Operations Senior Enlisted Leader is Command flying hours during federal fiscal year Group which specializes in plan- Chief Master Sgt. Michael Will. 2020. The 108th graduated 78 MQ-9 ning Air Force combat mission and The wing operates 12 MQ-9 Reaper pilots and 67 sensor operators during air campaigns. The 152nd routinely remotely piloted aircraft. Eight are this period. augments the staff at the Air Force based at Hancock Field Air National The squadron dropped 131 training Europe Air Operations Center at Guard Base, while two are stationed precision guided munitions during the Ramstein Air Base, Germany. at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort year. During federal fiscal year 2020, the Drum to support student flying opera- During 2020 the wing successfully 152nd deployed 52 personnel in tions. Two other aircraft assigned to implemented a ground-based sense support of operations. This included the 174th were based at forward loca- and avoid radar system which allows Juniper Cobra and Juniper Falcon, tions overseas during 2020. the MQ-9 to fly in the local area with- exercises conducted by Israel and the During federal fiscal year 2020 the out being escorted by a Civil Air Patrol United States; Ample Strike, a NATO 138th Attack Squadron, which flies plane. Previously a manned aircraft exercise in Poland; and an exercise involving the 603rd Air Operations Center. The 174th Attack Wing is responsible for the Adirondack Range, an air-to- ground training facility located at Fort Drum. This is a 4,000-acre complex that supports fixed wing, rotary wing and ground force integration live fire opportunities to all services. During 2020, the 174th fielded two Joint Threat Emitter Sites at Fort Drum. These systems simulate anti- aircraft and other radar systems that face aircraft conducting operations over a modern battlefield. A third site is due to be emplaced in 2021. Total cost for all three is $1.1 million. Airmen from the 174th Attack Wing were part of every New York State emergency response in 2020. 141 Airmen took part in these missions, which included providing personnel for COVID-19 test sites, airport health screening, and logistics missions, as well as dealing with flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline in May. In September, the 174th deployed a MQ-9 pilot to California to assist the Master Sgt. Brian Kissinger, Master Sgt. Brian Devlin, and Tech. Sgt. Daniel March- California Air National Guard in flying and, members of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing Fire Depart- MQ-9 aircraft over wildfires in that ment, stand before a fire engine with the equipment they would use in flood water state. The MQ-9 cameras provided rescues on August 4, 2020. The three Airmen have been trained in swift water rescue real-time information for the fires to techniques and are part of the New York State Flood Incident Response Strike Team fire managers. of New York Task Force 2, an urban search and rescue team

Division of Military 46 and Naval Affairs New York Air National Guard 2020 Annual Report and drills, and aggressively enforced social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene practices to combat the potential spread of COVID-19 within its facility. Completed in five weeks, the rede- sign included the removal of more than 10,000 feet of abandoned cable and the installation of new surveil- lance positions, which streamlined air defense functions. The redesign provided operations enough physical separation to conduct training and operations simultaneously and safely. The 224th Air Defense Squadron is responsible for conducting the air de- fense mission. Data from sensors and radars constantly flow into the Battle Control Center, where Airmen use the information to build and monitor a continuous air picture. When required, personnel scramble, direct and con- trol fighter jets and other assets to counter threats. In 2020, the 224th Squadron detect- ed, tracked, identified, evaluated and responded to 286 defined threats – an An Airmen conducts a temperature check at the gate to the Eastern Air Defense Sector compound in Rome, N.Y., September 8, 2020. Temperature checks, manda- average of five a week – and more tory mask wearing and the enforcement of strict social distancing protocols are all than 6,730 potential threats, a weekly part of the unit’s continuing mission assurance efforts. average of 129. Squadron Airmen also tracked more than 180 commer- 224th Air Defense Group/Eastern (AGR) members, while about 60 Air- cial aircraft that lost communication Air Defense Sector men serve as traditional Drill Status with the Federal Aviation Administra- The 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) Guardsmen (DSGs). tion for a prolonged period of time. is located at the Griffiss Business and A small Canadian Forces detach- The squadron enforced a total of 98 Technology Park in Rome. A New ment, a U.S. Army liaison officer, two Temporary Flight Restrictions, help- York Air National Guard unit deployed Navy liaison officers, approximately ing protect prominent events such as in place, the 224th ADG conducts the 40 federal civilian personnel and 20 presidential travel, the Democratic Eastern Air Defense Sector’s (EADS) contractors also serve at EADS. National Convention, the Republican federal mission. Col. Paul M. Bishop is the EADS National Convention and Super Bowl A headquarters unit of the North Commander, which is a federal, Title LIII. While conducting the around-the- American Aerospace Defense Com- 10 position. Col. Joseph F. Roos is clock air defense mission, the squad- mand (NORAD), EADS is tasked with the 224th ADG Commander, which is ron executed an ambitious training the around–the-clock defense of the a New York Air National Guard, Title program. More than 840 exercise or eastern U.S. airspace through vigilant 32 position. training events – many involving the control of tactical fighter aircraft or detection, rapid warning and precise During 2020, EADS’ critical role in helicopters – were conducted. These tactical control of NORAD forces. homeland defense made maintaining events included 182 higher head- EADS is part of the Continental U.S. a healthy, effective operational force quarters exercises and more than NORAD Region-1st Air Force (CONR- the overriding priority for much of the 100 locally organized and executed 1AF), which is located at Tyndall Air year. Force Base, Florida. exercises. A series of strenuous, protective The 224th Air Defense Squadron The 224th ADG, composed of the measures, including a complete also supported efforts by the Joint 224th Air Defense Squadron, the operations floor redesign, enabled Chiefs of Staff to develop and build 224th Support Squadron and two EADS’ Battle Control Center to con- the Joint All-Domain Command and detachments in the Washington, D.C. tinue its air defense mission without Control system and the Air Force’s Air area, has an authorized strength of interruption. In addition to the rede- Battle Management System. The unit more than 320 Airmen. Most serve sign, the unit restricted visitors, lever- played a key role with the continuing full-time as Active Guard and Reserve aged virtual technology for meetings 47 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Air National Guard

A New York Air National Guard LC-130 assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing flies over Amsterdam, New York, on May 12, 2020 during a flyover conducted to salute healthcare and essential workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. development of Pathfinder, a new maintain 100% mission assurance. Administration’s Freedom Center in Command and Control system-of- To support its stringent mission as- Herndon, Virginia, is responsible for systems that will incorporate feeds surance measures and high op- ensuring effective interagency coop- from multiple sources into one unified erations tempo, Det. 1 received 50 eration. Detachment 2 is composed network. augmenters from across NORAD, of six full-time New York Air National The 224th ADG Detachment 1 which it quickly trained and seamless- Guard officers, three drill status New works closely with the 224th Air ly incorporated into operations. These York Air Guard officers and one fed- Defense Squadron. Detachment 1 operations were highlighted by the eral civilian. Detachment 2 is tasked is located at the Joint Air Defense prosecution of 211 tracks of interest in with providing real time situational Operations Center in Washington, the District of Columbia Special Flight awareness of National Capital Region D.C., where it provides direct opera- Rules Area. air operations to the federal agencies assigned to protect Washington, D.C. tions support to the Army Air and Mis- Detachment 1 supported multiple sile Defense Task Force conducting These agencies include the Federal exercises and initiatives while meet- Aviation Administration, Customs homeland defense operations in the ing its operational challenges. The National Capital Region. & Border Protection, United States detachment participated in two U.S. Coast Guard, United States Secret Because of its vital role, Det. 1 has Army battalion training events that Service, United States Capitol Police implemented some of the strictest certified 320 Soldiers and one Task and Joint Force Headquarters Na- COVID-19 mission assurance mea- Force collective training event that tional Capital Region. sures in the Department of Defense. certified an additional 39 Soldiers. Prior to reporting for a continuous The Airmen also successfully up- The EADS air picture is displayed on-location week-long shift on the graded the hardware and software continuously in the Freedom Center, operations floor, Det. 1 Airmen are on its primary computer system and alongside those of the FAA and CBP. sequestered apart from their families redesigned one of its primary network Detachment 2 pushes or pulls infor- for one week. The sequester effort, architectures. mation as necessary between EADS along with rigorous COVID-19 testing and the other agencies during Track The 224th ADG Detachment 2, of Interest (TOI) events. The unit com- programs, enabled the detachment to located at the Transportation Security Division of Military 48 and Naval Affairs New York Air National Guard 2020 Annual Report mander also conducts outreach to lo- The squadron’s sections maintain men. The inspectors also cited nine cal flying units with respect to Special the computer and electronics systems different programs and processes as Flight Rules Area (SFRA) operations which enable EADS to do its job. unit strengths. that are in place in the National Capi- The 224th Security Forces Flight Four EADS Airmen were recog- tal Region. played a key role in COVID-19 mis- nized with prestigious, national-level In 2020, Detachment 2 supported sion assurance efforts. Defenders awards. over 140 TOI events within the augmented the New York National Staff Sgt. Edward Pugh of the 224th National Capital Region. The de- Guard’s installation screening initia- Air Defense Squadron received the tachment also supported 7,800 tive with specialized entry control Air National Guard’s Outstanding Department of Defense helicopter point procedures and reporting, taking Honor Guard Member award. Staff flights, which provided the FAA with temperatures and checking every Sgt. Gary Gillespie, a 224th Air De- maximum situational awareness and visitor for symptoms. Security Forces fense Squadron intelligence analyst, airspace security within the region, improved its installation civil defense was named NORAD’s Outstand- and evaluated more than 700 Flight measures, enhancing its local law ing Junior Airman and Mr. Sonepith Restricted Zone waiver requests. In enforcement network and provid- Keoviengsamay, a command-and- January, Detachment 2 supported the ing updated use-of-force training to control systems administrator with stand-up of an Airspace Security Op- members. the 224th Support Squadron, was erations Center for the annual State Recognition in 2020 NORAD’s outstanding civilian em- of the Union Address. During an October 2020 Unit Ef- ployee at the GS-11/12 grade levels. 224th Support Squadron fectiveness Inspection, EADS was Tech. Sgt. Kathleen Bielecki, a 224th The 224th Support Squadron builds, rated as highly effective in two of the ADS weapons director, was named installs and maintains the radar, four areas evaluated and effective in Command and Control enlisted war- communications and information the other two. The 224th Air Defense rior of the year by Continental U.S. technology systems that enable the Squadron alert crews and the 224th North American Aerospace Defense air defense mission. The squadron Support Squadron’s Mission Defense Command/1st Air Force and Air also contains the unit’s security forces Team were identified as superior Forces Northern Command. flight. performers, as were 17 individual Air-

New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Alex Adepoju, left, and A Pararescue specialist from the 106th Rescue Wing, Senior Airman Mitchell Holtz check equipment in preparation for the Westhampton Beach, N.Y., prepares to conduct a para- 107th Force Support Squadron Emergency Management exercise chute jump at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training at the 107th Attack Wing, based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Sta- Center in Alpena, Michigan, during Northern Strike 20, tion, N.Y., August 12th, 2020. July 20, 2020. 49 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Naval Militia

The New York Naval Militia is a state there was a U.S. Navy Reserve and They have also provided medical defense force comprised mostly of was the sea-going equivalent of the support, logistics and headquarters members who are simultaneously New York National Guard. During the operations support across the state. members of one of the federal naval Spanish-American War in 1898 the In May, a contingent of Naval Militia reserve forces: the Navy Reserve, the New York Naval Militia manned two members were among 46 personnel Marine Corps Reserve or the Coast ships. activated to assist local officials with Guard Reserve. Since the founding of the Navy Re- flooding along Lake Ontario. The New York Naval Militia is autho- serve in 1915, the force has focused The New York Naval Militia also rized 3,500 members and currently more on state missions, but the New operates the Military Emergency Boat has a strength of 2,654. York Naval Militia is still recognized by Service (MEBS) which operates a Of those members, 1,365 hold mem- the federal government as part of the fleet of 10 patrol boats. Naval Militia bership in the Navy Reserve, 1,090 state’s military forces. crews work regularly with the U.S. drill with the Marine Corps Reserve, Naval Reserve members provide Coast Guard and local law enforce- and 84 drill with Coast Guard Reserve personnel who bring the skills they ment agencies across New York. units. Another 71 members are non- have learned in federal service and Patrol Boat 440, a 44 foot-long diesel drilling Federal Reserve members. put them to work at the service of the powered water-jet catamaran based Five percent of Naval Militia mem- state. They serve in a state active at the U.S. Coast Guard Station on bers can be members of the organi- duty status when on state missions. Staten Island, carries U.S. Coast zation without serving as a federal Since March 2020, 145 Naval Militia Guard inspection parties out to ships reservist. Currently 43 Naval Militia members have been part of the waiting to enter New York Harbor and members are non-reservists. state’s response to the COVID-19 also conducts regular harbor secu- The New York Naval Militia is com- pandemic. rity patrols as part of the New York manded by Rear Adm. Warren T. Naval Militia members have provided National Guard’s Joint Task Force Smith, a retired Navy Reserve officer vital administrative support at Division Empire Shield. from Rhinebeck, New York. of Military and Naval Affairs headquar- Patrol Boat 440 received new en- The New York Naval Militia was ters, assisting in financial and person- gines in 2020 that was largely paid originally organized in 1891 before nel record keeping and transactions. for with a 2018 federal Port Security Grant which will greatly extend its ser- vice life. Also in 2020, a federal Port Security Grant was awarded to DMNA to largely offset the cost of mainte- nance to this vessel for the next three years. The New York Naval Militia also oper- ates a landing craft made by William E. Munson Company of Burlington, Washington. Landing Craft 350 allows the Naval Militia to deliver supplies and personnel in support of emer- gency relief operations along New York’s extensive coastline and along river shores. A second Munson Boat landing craft has been purchased through a 2019 Federal Emergency Management Agency Port Security Grant to expand the Naval Militia’s maritime logistics capability. That boat is expected to be New York Naval Militia Master Chief Patrick O’Sullivan, right, pins the Military Emer- delivered in November of 2021. gency Boat Service Craftmaster Pin on Chief Machinery Technician Bill Munch while The Naval Militia also operates patrol aboard Patrol Boat 400 in Verplanck, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2020. The award presentation boats on the Hudson River at Indian followed a practical demonstration and oral qualification board to determine proficien- Point Energy Center in random secu- cy. Munch is the ninth Naval Militia member to receive the Craftmaster designation, identifying him as a subject matter expert in Naval Militia boat operations. rity patrols.

Division of Military 50 and Naval Affairs New York Naval Militia 2020 Annual Report

New York Naval Militia crews of patrol boat 440 assist the U.S. Coast Guard Sector - New York with the boarding and inspection of commercial shipping traffic entering New York Harobor December 8, 2020. The New York Naval Militia deploys a Military Emer- gency Boat Service on New York waterways to assist first responders and local governments. Other vessels include: • Patrol Boats 300 and 301 - two 30 foot Nigel Gee boats; • Patrol Boats 280 and 281 - two 28 foot ALMAR Sounder boats; • Patrol Boat 230 - a 23 foot Alumi- num Chambered Dive boat: and Patrol Boats 220 and 221 – two 22 foot Metal Craft Marine Kingfisher Hardtop boats. Smaller scale boat operation exer- cises and a table top communication exercise were also held during the year despite the restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. On February 25 the New York Naval Militia dedicated a ship’s bell from the USS Flusser, a World War I era de- stroyer which Naval Militia members once trained on, for ceremonial use. Members of the Headquarters staff built and restored the bell in a black walnut frame now located in the DMNA headquarters lobby. The bell New York Naval Militia Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Elizebeth Spain sounds four has been used for ceremonial pur- bells on the refurbished bell of the U.S.S. Flusser at the New York National Guard poses in 2020 including the promo- State Headquarters in Latham, N.Y., February 25, 2020. The bell, commissioned on tion of Naval Militia members and the board the Flusser 100 years ago, served for ten years on the destroyer, providing a commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001 training platform for Naval Militia Sailors before winding up as an artifact with the New attacks on the World Trade Center. York Military Museum. 51 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report New York Guard

The New York Guard is New York’s uniformed federally authorized state- defense force whose members aug- ment the National Guard during state emergencies and security operations. The New York Guard is authorized 804 members and currently had a strength of 410 at the end of Decem- ber 2020. The organizational structure consists of a headquarters element located at Camp Smith Training Site and three Area Commands located in New York City, Peekskill and Buffalo New York. Several detachments are placed throughout the state. Members of the New York Guard wear a version of the Army’s Opera- tional Camouflage Pattern uniform substituting a “NY Guard” nametape instead of one saying U.S. Army, and black patrol cap with rank insignia. They wear the flag of New York State on their right sleeve and U.S. Army Velcro ranks on their uniform. The New York Guard specializes in support skills such as logistics, com- munications, engineering and admin- istrative staff work which are useful when state emergencies occur. Ad- ditionally they offer Chaplains, medi- cal professionals and Legal Support Officers which have all been utilized to augment the New York National Guard. The New York Guard is commanded New York Guard Staff Sgt. Luis Ojeda loads hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies at by Brig. Gen. David J. Warager. Camp Smith, N.Y., as part of the medical warehousing and delivery mission during the National Guard COVID-19 response April 19, 2020. The National Guard delivered The New York Guard maintains the the cleaning supplies to local governments across the Hudson Valley and New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs City. Military Emergency Radio Network, a network of short range radio sta- arms and do not serve outside of New state defense force. tions across the state, and the Mobile York. The New York Guard was first orga- Emergency Response Center, a satel- Members of the New York Guard nized in 1917 when the U.S. entered lite communications system. conduct their training, by drilling once World War I and the New York Na- New York Guard teams provide a month and one week of Annual tional Guard mobilized for the war. training in chainsaw use to members Training conducted at Camp Smith With New York National Guard Sol- of the New York Army and Air National Training Site. They do this as volun- diers training to deploy to France the Guard during weather response mis- teers and do not collect a paycheck. New York Guard was created to take sions. They are paid in accordance with the on security duties guarding the Erie rank they hold when activated to sup- Unlike members of the New York Canal and the New York City water port a State Emergency Response. Army and Air National Guard, mem- system from German sabotage. This bers of the New York Guard have no New York is one of 26 states which was not a baseless threat. German federal military obligation, do not carry maintain this federally authorized, spies had blown up an ammunition

Division of Military 52 and Naval Affairs New York Guard 2020 Annual Report factory in New Jersey. headquarters to assist in administra- completed the course, which allowed The New York Guard was organized tive, planning and logistics functions. them to serve on the front lines of the into two provisional brigades. One New York Guard members also COVID-19 response. served in upstate New York and one served at testing sites and worked at Virtual officer training was also con- in downstate New York. A key mission warehouses set up to house medical ducted, including the final phase of was protecting New York City’s water supplies. New York Guard personnel Officer Candidate School, Company supply infrastructure from sabotage. took on food service, public affairs, Grade Officer Course and Field Grade During the influenza pandemic of and medical support duties as well Officer Course with 16 members 1918-1919, 32 members of the New to support deployed National Guard graduating from those courses. York Guard who protected the New Soldiers and Airmen. New York Guard members were York City aqueduct died from the Many New York Guard members also part of a 46-person team which disease. reported for duty in March and April responded to flooding along Lake In 1940 the New York Guard was 2020 and served with the pandemic Ontario in April. created once more when the New task force throughout the year. Before the pandemic changed ev- York National Guard was mobilized to Eighty-two members of the New York erything, New York Guard members expand the Army. Members respond- Guard were on duty in December, the also worked with the 105th Airlift Wing ed in January 1945 when a snow- highest number of New York Guard at Stewart Air National Guard Base storm pummeled upstate New York. volunteers employed on the mission. in Newburgh conducting nuclear, In the 1950s the New York Guard was New York Guard members also biological, and chemical training. The authorized as a full time force. served as commanders of regional Guard members put together a train- Many New York Guard members task forces and in key staff posi- ing course in a hanger. have prior military service in the Na- tions. Retired New York Army and Air The course replicated the experience tional Guard, Reserves or active duty. National Guard leaders were asked of deplaning from an aircraft in chemi- to come on duty as New York Guard During 2020, 149 members of the cal protective gear and then dealing members so their years of experience with casualties in that type of environ- New York Guard served on state ac- could assist with the mission. tive duty as part of the New York Na- ment. Brig. Gen. Denise Donnell, the tional Guard’s Operation COVID-19. Due to concerns about coronavirus wing commander, commended the New York Guard members served in transmission, New York Guard units New York Guard unit at the base, for regional joint task force headquar- did not conduct regular weekend or ters and at New York National Guard annual week-long training in 2020. Instead, Guard volunteers conducted online training sessions. Units con- ducted virtual annual training and 90% of Guard members who were not on COVID-19 duty took part. The Military Emergency Management Specialist Qualification instruction conducted by the State Guard As- sociation of the United States, was awarded to 102 New York Guard members as a result of this online training. Fifty members of the New York Guard who needed initial entry train- ing, or IET, in order to be able to serve on State Active Duty, took-part in a week-long online training event from October 4 to October 9. New York Guard Maj. Michael Doria, 244th Medical Group Behavioral Health Traditionally the New York Guard’s New York Guard Commanding Gen- Officer, spends some time with animal- initial training takes place during a eral Brig. Gen. David Warager visits assisted crisis response dogs on April week at Camp Smith Training Site with National Guard members and New 29, 2020 at the Office of Chief Medical near Peekskill. This could not be done York Guard volunteers at the Joint Task Examiner of the City of New York. The Force 4 command post in Syracuse, this year because of COVID-19 trans- N.Y., April 25, 2020. Members of the service dogs are used directly after a mission concerns. traumatic event to reduce stress and NY Guard performed state active duty anxiety for National Guard members Instead, the new recruits logged into alongside the Army and Air National assisting the medical examiner in New on-line training classes in Septem- Guard members mobilized for the pan- York City. ber for six to eight hours a day and demic response in New York State. 53 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Civilian Workforce The 1, 849 civilian employees of the Congress mandated that many Title New York National Guard and the 32 positions be converted to the Title New York State Division of Military 5 category in 2018. and Naval Affairs play important roles Currently most of the Title 5 employ- in supporting the New York Army and ees working for the New York National Air National Guard and the New York Guard are former Title 32 employees Military Forces. whose positions where shifted to There are 466 federal and state the civilian category. Most of those civilians working at Division of Military employees still serve in the New York and Naval Affairs Headquarters or National Guard as traditional part-time at Watervliet Arsenal where supply Soldiers and Airmen. operations are located. The rest work There are also 17 federally-funded at the armories and other facilities contract employees who work under across New York or the five New York the direction of the New York National Air National Guard Airbases. Guard Family Programs Office. During 2020 there were 1,458 federal These individuals fill a number of civilian employees supporting the New positions to assist Guard Soldiers, York Army and Air National Guard. Airmen and families which include Another 391 state civilian employ- financial counselors, family program ees worked for the New York State managers and even psychologists. Division of Military and Naval Affairs Division of Military and Naval Af- during 2020. fairs state employees fill a variety of Federal civilian employees are either functions at National Guard locations Jason Allen, a state General Me- Title 32 federal technicians or Title 5 across the state. They perform main- chanic/Electrician at Hancock Field Air employees. tenance at New York State armories National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. The “Title 32” refers to the section of and air bases and provide administra- the United States Code which include tive support at the New York National the laws governing the National Guard. Guard headquarters. Title 32 technicians are federal civil- The Division of Military and Naval ian employees who are required to Affairs has a state budget office to also serve as members of the Army handle state fiscal issues and also or Air National Guard to fill their maintains a state employee human positions. There were 1,116 Title 32 resources office. In functions like technicians working for the Army and facility engineering, legal, government Air National Guard in 2020. affairs and public affairs, state and federal employees work side-by-side. Of these, 525 supported Army National Guard missions, while 591 During 2020 New York state employ- worked for the Air National Guard. ees worked in the following positions: The bulk of these personnel fill main- • State armory maintenance person- tenance positions or other jobs which nel – 130 require specific military skills. • Headquarters personnel – 83 The remaining 342 federal positions • Air National Guard Airbase Firefight- are classified as “Title 5 technicians.” ers - 61 These are jobs which can be filled • Air National Guard Facility mainte- Drew Stewart, a civilian employee in by civilian employees who are not nance personnel – 51 the U.S. Property Book and Finance currently members of the National • Air National Guard security forces – Office at the Joint Force Headquarters, Guard. These personnel are hired 37 is honored during his retirement for through the standard U.S. civil service more than 30 combined years of civil- procedure. • Air National Guard administrative ian and military service with the New support – 15 There were 157 of these Title 5 em- York Army National Guard, Latham, • New York State Military Museum - 6 N.Y., Jan. 7, 2020. Maj. Gen. Ray ployees assigned to New York Army Shields presented Stewart with awards National Guard jobs and 185 support- • Environmental support personnel – 8 in recognition of his service. ing the New York Air National Guard. Division of Military 54 and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report State Partnership Program

State Partnership Program The National Guard’s State Partner- ship Program originated in the 1990s in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. State National Guards developed relationships with the militaries of former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact states in order to provide a model of how democratic military forces work. Since then the program has ex- panded around the world. There are currently 74 state partnership relation- ships. The program is administered by the National Guard Bureau, guided by State Department foreign policy goals and executed by the states in sup- port of the combatant commander, security cooperation objectives and Department of Defense policy goals. Lt. Col. Hai Rekah of the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command, with mem- The State Partnership Program builds bers of the New York National Guard, observes intake procedures for motorists at the capacity and capability within part- drive-thru test site at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, N.Y., July 15, 2020. Rekah ner nation’s security forces. It also was in New York to meet with New York National Guard leaders to see parts of New cultivates personal, professional and York’s response to COVID-19, as Israel’s Homefront Command responds to the pandemic. institutional relationships. New York has state partnership also cancelled due to the pandemic. ing exercise, dubbed Exercise Tapio, program relationships with both the In early March, two Air National was being planned for 2020 but was South African National Defence Force Guard firefighters from the 109th Airlift canceled due to the pandemic. The and the Brazilian Armed Forces. Wing Fire and Emergency Services exercise was designed to enhance did spend one week in Cape Town, interoperability with, and capabil- The New York National Guard also ity between, the New York National has a partnership with the Israeli South Africa to support wildland firefighting operations. The American Guard and the Brazilian Air Force’s Home Front Command that is not part search and rescue assets. of the state partnership program. firefighters and the South African fire teams exchanged techniques, best This event is rescheduled for 2021. The relationship with South Africa be- practices and experiences fighting gan in 2003 and then Brazil in 2019. A law enforcement subject matter wildfires. expert exchange between Brazil and A New York Army National Guard Chaplains from the New York Army the New York National Guard with officer is assigned to the embassies National Guard and the South African several interagency partners did take in each nation in order to coordinate National Defence Force also con- place in February before international training and exchange opportunities. ducted a virtual meeting April 26 to travel shut down. Many events which had been discuss their experiences and lessons New York hosted three officers from planned for 2020 had to be canceled learned in dealing with the COVID-19 the Brazilian Army at Fort Hamilton in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. pandemic. Brooklyn. South Africa With few state partnership events The Brazilian officers conducted on- The New York National Guard was occurring, Lt. Col. Al Phillips, the site visits and received briefings from supposed to take part in the African State Partnership program officer at Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the Aerospace and Defense Exhibition the U.S. embassy in Pretoria, South New York City Office of Emergency which is held every other year. That Africa, worked with embassy officials Management, the New York Police major event was canceled. on U.S. programs to provide countries Department and the New York Army in the region with medical supplies to National Guard’s 727th Military Police The annual Defense Committee control the spread of COVID-19. Meeting, which is typically held each Law and Order Detachment. Les- year to discuss bilateral security co- Brazil sons learned and best practices were operation and relationship goals, was A major joint search and rescue train- discussed on the role of the military 55 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report State Partnership Program police in civil support operations. The New York National Guard and Brazilian medical leaders also shared lessons learned on their COVID-19 pandemic response and mitigating the virus on a videoconference that was held on Sept. 29. Officers assigned to the state’s Medical Command laid out how New York dealt with COVID-19, going from some of the highest rates of infection in the country to some of the lowest. The shared experiences of New York and Brazil were aimed at creat- ing a better understanding of which responses are the most successful at handling the pandemic during the dis- cussion with Brazilian ambassadors, doctors and members of the Brazilian military. Another success was the participa- tion of Air National Guard Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel, a 22-year old intelligence analyst for the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing in the annual foreign students training program at Brazil’s Jungle Warfare Center. Known as CIGS for its name in Portuguese - Centro de Instructor de Guerra na Selva—the school is considered the world’s premier jungle training center and hosts a class for Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel conducts helicopter insertion training during the Brazil- non-Brazilians once a year. ian Jungle Wargare Training School in September 2020. The international course, known as CIGS for its Portugese initials, had Lapinel as the only American in the Lapinel not only graduated from course of 10 students. the 7-week long demanding course, but was awarded one of the awards in Brazil. that go to two students each training Participants from the Brazilian Air cycle. Force included the Airmen from He is the second Guardsman from 1st/12th, ALA4 Horus Squadron in New York to graduate from this both Brasilia and Santa Maria Air course. In 2019 Army Staff Sgt. Force Base, Brazil. New York National Thomas Carpenter, a 38 year old in- Guard participants included Airmen fantryman and Ranger School gradu- from the 174th Attack Wing’s 108th ate finished the jungle training course. Attack Squadron (Formal Train- Along with graduating the course and ing Unit), 174th Operations Sup- it being a personal victory, Lapinel’s port Squadron and the 138th Attack success at the course helped build Squadron, from Hancock Field Air the relationship between the U.S. and National Guard Base in Syracuse. Lt. Col. Hai Rekah of the Israel De- fense Forces Home Front Command, Brazilian militaries, according Lt. Col. This virtual engagement focused on with members of the New York National Rob Santamaria, the Army section remotely piloted airspace manage- Guard, goes on a walk-through of the chief at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil. ment between the U.S. and the Brazil- Glen Island Park swabbing site in New A virtual remotely piloted aircraft ian Air Force. Rochelle, N.Y., July 15, 2020. Rekah (RPA) exchange was successfully The event allowed the exchange of was in New York July 15 to see New York’s multi-agency response to CO- conducted on 16-17 December, after ideas on RPA concepts of operations, VID-19 as Israel similarly responds to being rescheduled several times due mission sets, challenges and doctrine. the pandemic. to the pandemic and ongoing wildfires The exchange furthered bilateral RPA Division of Military 56 and Naval Affairs State Partnership Program 2020 Annual Report integration and joint airspace man- agement with discussions of airspace coordination measures related to RPA operations. An in-person exchange is being planned for 2021 to continue progress in these aforementioned areas. Israel Home Front Command The New York National Guard also has a formal relationship with Israel’s Home Front Command that is part of a Security Cooperation bilateral agreement between the National Guard Bureau and Home Front Com- mand that has been in effect since 2006. This bilateral agreement has three approved “Lines of Activity.” The New York National Guard is respon- sible for the civil support operations line. Israel’s Home Front Command is the branch of Israel’s military that handles natural disasters and emergencies. Like New York State, Israel was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting is several engage- ments being postponed until 2021. Before the pandemic hit, two mem- bers of the 24th Civil Support Team New York Air National Guard Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel, at left with fellow stu- attended the Home Front Command’s dents of the international jungle warfare course, checks their map for navigation dur- Chemical, Biological, Radiological ing a training event at the Brazilian Jungle Warfare Training Center in Manaus, Brazil and Nuclear (CBRN) Commander’s while training in September 2020. Course in Israel. This in-depth course has a focus of implementing the Incident Command System at an Initial Isolation Zone. The program is intended for both training and accreditation for Incident Commanders from various security and search and rescue forces at an incident site. Lt. Col. Hai Rekah, a Home Front Command officer, got a firsthand look at how the New York National Guard responded to the COVID-19 response during a visit to New York on July 15, 2020. Rekah visited a COVID-19 test- ing site in Westchester County and the Javits Convention Center, which was turned into a temporary hospital where 1,095 patients were treated during the peak of the pandemic in New York. Army Maj. Amy Crounse, New York National Guard State Partnership Program offi- cer, begins a Zoom call with representatives from Brazil to discuss how the two sides responded to COVID-19 at the Joint Force Headquarters, Latham, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2020. The call was aimed at discussion what worked best when handling the pan- demic and how New York and Brazil can continue to work together on the issue.

57 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report Military History

The mission of the New York State exhibits in each armory tell the story battle flags still sit and in other loca- Military Museum and Veterans Re- of National Guard units which once tions. In 2001 the historic armory in search Center, which occupies the drilled there or in the predecessor Saratoga Springs was designated as New York State Armory in Saratoga building, so that the citizen Soldiers the permanent home for the items. Springs, is to preserve, interpret and of today understand their history and During most of 2020 the museum disseminate the story, history and roots. was closed to visitors. Resources records of New York’s veterans and The museum traces its history back the museum makes available online military units. to 1863 when the state legislature --photographs, documents, videos The museum building, which was charged the adjutant general of New and publications-- were accessed one designed by New York State Architect York with creating the Bureau of Mili- million times during the year. Isaac Perry and constructed in the tary Statistics which was to collect in- The museum currently holds 27,410 1880s, houses a library, an exhibit formation and artifacts relating to the historic objects ranging from books floor, and storage areas for historic role of New York Soldiers and units to a World War II M-4 Sherman tank weapons and other items. It is typical in the Civil War. The bureau’s staff displayed outside the museum. This of the armories built across upstate began clipping newspapers and as number includes the historic items New York in the 1880s that were often Civil War regiments demobilized their in exhibits across the state, flags on the only state facility in a town and flags and documents were deposited display at the New York State Capitol, served as a community center as with the bureau. and items in storage at the museum well. The bureau issued regular reports of the Peebles Island Conservation The military museum, with a staff of for a few years and also helped as- Center run by the New York State six full-time state employees, is also semble the history of the New York Office of Parks and Historic Preserva- the custodian of historical artifacts regiments in the Civil War. tion. that are held in National Guard fa- Artifacts were displayed in the state During 2020 the museum received cilities located across the state. Mini Capitol, where many of the historic 317 artifacts from 50 donors.

Members of the New York National Guard’s 258th Field Artillery Regiment meet with their Soviet counterparts in the summer of 1945. The regiment served in Europe in WWII with campaign credits in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. The unit was at Alsfeld, Germany in August 1945. The photo is from the collection of the New York State Military History Museum.

Division of Military 58 and Naval Affairs Military History 2020 Annual Report The museum current houses six permanent exhibits. These are: • “Battleground for Freedom: New York During the Revolutionary War;” • “A Call Not Unheeded: New York’s Militia and National Guard, 1792- 1916;” • “Empire for Union: New York and the Civil War;” • “Fiery Trial and Sacrifice: New York and the First World War;” • “World War II: United for Victory;” • “Hot Spots in the Cold War: Korean and Vietnam Wars;” and the temporary exhibit for 2020 “From Broadway to the Pacific The- ater: The 27th Infantry Division before Combat, 1940-1943.” The museum’s website consists of nearly 5,000 pages with 15,000 sup- porting files. The museum has 2,164 oral history interviews digitized and available at the museum’s YouTube channel which recorded 1,344,460 Members of the New York State Guard conduct a training exercise in New York views in 2020. City to confront “enemy” saboteurs in their attempt to wreck the waterworks at Oliver Street and the East River, June 13, 1943. The training maneuvers of the 69th Infantry The library collection consists of Regiment were held to maintain readiness of the State Guard to provide homeland 15,114 books and articles, 4,175 security during WWII. The photo is part of the collection of the New York State Military archival collections with 124,573 History Museum. scanned documents, and 70,607 pho- tographs, 68,701 of which have been digitized, and are available online through our library catalog. During the pandemic, the museum continued to provide historical ser- vices to DMNA and active duty units, researching unit histories and creating historical displays at several DMNA facilities. Museum staff continued cataloging and inventorying historical collections, indexing and digitizing ar- chival material and completed a major redesign of the website to improve its functionality and make it more user friendly and responsive across mul- tiple platforms. The museum is currently developing an exhibit entitled “New Millennium, New Challenges: The Global War on Terrorism.” The exhibition will chron- icle the deadly September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States The surrender of the Dachau concentration camp to American forces and 42nd and the subsequent decades-long Infantry Division Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Henning Linden, April 29, 1945 in struggle to defeat radical terrorists Dachau, Germany. American Soldiers of the U.S. 7th Army, including the 42nd Infan- with an emphasis on the role of New try and 45th Infantry and 20th Armored Divisions participated in the camp’s liberation. Yorkers and New York military forces. The New York National Guard commemorated the event as part of the 75th anniver- sary of the camp liberation in 2020.

59 Division of Military and Naval Affairs 2020 Annual Report

Division of Military 60 and Naval Affairs