Volume 11 Number 3 www.dmna.ny.gov Serving the New York Army and Air National Guard, Naval Militia, New York Guard and Families FROM THE LEADERSHIP Parting Thoughts for our Force: Individuals Matter in our Organization's Success y the time you read this, "I would like to leave you with three final thoughts: BI will no longer be your Adjutant General. "Do everything with integrity at the forefront. It has been an unbelievable 30 months serving with the best per- "Be humble – treat everyone with respect. sonnel our nation has to offer. "And finally, be generous," Whether Airman, Soldier, NY Guard volunteer, Naval Militia or -- Maj. Gen. Anthony German, former Adjutant General of New York civilian, each one of you should ally professional and dedicated You are all truly great Americans be commended for the job you do in everything you do. Whether and it has been a privilege to serve Maj. Gen. each and every day in service to it is responding to a domestic with you as your commander. Anthony German our state and nation. operation and helping our citizens The members of our state mili- Although you will have a new in need, or deploying to Africa, tary forces, the Naval Militia and make a difference. You should all Adjutant General – the 54th –and Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North or the New York Guard, have also be proud of your uniforms, your I will be another picture on the South America, you accomplished been impressive to watch in action. organizations, and the people you fourth floor hallway in Latham, I every mission I asked you to do. All of you Naval Militia members work with every day. still get my chance to communi- I was once asked by a Soldier signed on to serve our state, even One of the great things about a cate my thoughts one last time. what my goal as The Adjutant though most of you already bal- military organization is that it goes I am a strong believer that com- General was. I had not previously ance a part-time-military career on doing good things no matter manders at any level should be in thought about it in such a way. in the Reserves and your civilian who is at the helm. command for 3-5 years – some After reflecting on the question workforce. Commanders come and go and shorter, and very few longer. I for a while, I said I would love to I appreciate the professional- people come and go, but the orga- believe the same holds true for The shake every person's hand in the ism Naval Militia members have nization and its traditions remain. Adjutant General. organization, talk to them, and brought to their missions whether The New York National Guard has After nine years serving at the learn about them. it is running a boat in New York tremendous history and tradition state headquarters, four as the Air I would also like to thank them Harbor, filling sandbags on Lake ranging from the Revolutionary Guard Chief of Staff, two as the for their many sacrifices and the Ontario, or cooking meals at War through the Civil War to the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, sacrifices of their loved-ones. As Camp Smith. World Wars, and now Iraq and one year as the Commander of with many goals I have set – I Our small force of New York Afghanistan. our New York Air Guard and the failed. I have not yet managed to Guard men and women have I know this great organization, last two-and-one-half as Adjutant shake all of your hands, but each proven that they are there when with great people, will keep doing General and Commander of the of you and your families have we need them. I am grateful for great things. Air Guard, I have decided it is time been in my thoughts and prayers the effort you put into training on I would like to leave you with for someone else to lead this great these past 30 months. It has been your own time – and often your three final thoughts. organization. As for my future, I an honor for me to get to know so own dime – so you can be there Do everything with integrity will be taking a position in Wash- many of you, and your families. for New York when needed. at the forefront – always do what ington, D.C. and I will continue Whether it was in a classroom, in Finally, I want to thank our is right no matter who is or is not my service there. the field, or on the flightline, I have state and federal civilians for the around. Serving as the Adjutant General cherished each conversation. work you do every day that helps Be humble – treat everyone with and being responsible for the New New York is a big state and there support our men and women in respect and remember the reason York Army and Air National are a lot of you, and you continue uniform as they deploy overseas or you are successful is because of all Guard, the Naval Militia, the New to move around as you train and go on state active duty. the people around you. York Guard and our federal and deploy. So, I am sorry I have not The New York National Guard And finally, be generous. Be state civilian workforce has been been able to meet each one of you and the New York State Division generous with your time, your tal- the capstone to my military career personally. I have been able to of Military and Naval Affairs are ents and your accolades for others. and I have found it incredibly see and appreciate, however, the great organizations with great mis- Thank you for who you are and rewarding. impact that each one of you has sions. You get to serve the people I salute each and every one of You, the had on this great state. of the United States of American, you...thank you all for a job well members of our Nothing we do could be-done the people of New York State, and done. Army and Air alone, and it is because of your the people of your hometowns. National Guard individual work that we are able to That service is a true privilege. ...Tony are exception- accomplish everything that we do. You do things every day that Volume 11, Number 3 This Issue’s Highlights: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Commander in Chief Faces of the Force Maj. Gen. Anthony German, The Adjutant General Eric Durr, Director of Public Affairs 4 Soldier uses Medical Skills to Save Boys Life Col. Richard Goldenberg, Public Affairs Officer 6 Guard Soldier Earns Silver Medal in Taekwondo Capt. Jean Kratzer, Command Information Officer Around the State Spc. Andrew Valenza, Guard Times Photographer 8 Soldiers Tackle Course to Help Build Fitness About Guard Times 9 Senior Leader Retires After Four Decades of Service The Guard Times is published quarterly using federal 10 Soldiers and Airmen on Duty for Flood Clean-up funds authorized under provisions of AR 360-1 and The Joint Force AFI 35-101 by the New York State Division of Mili- tary and Naval Affairs and the New York Army and 12 NY Chaplain meets with African Counterparts Air National Guard Public Affairs Office. 13 Civil Support Team Trains with Landing Craft Views which appear in this publication are not neces- Army National Guard sarily those of the Department of Defense, the Army, 14 Engineers Help Rebuilding in Puerto Rico the Air Force or the National Guard Bureau. 15 MPs Train at Leavenworth Military Prison The Guard Times has a circulation of 17,000 and is 16 NY Soldiers Travel to France, Belgium for WWI Centennial distributed free to members of the New York State 18 Aircrews Assist in North Country Fire Fighting Military Forces and employees of the Division of 19 Helicopter Maintainers Hone Skills in Texas Military and Naval Affairs. 20 Warrant Officers Celebrate 100 Years Submissions 22 53rd Troop Command Units Refine Skills at FIG Articles, photos and letters are welcome. Please pro- 23 NY Guardsmen on the Attack as WWI Came to a Close vide article submissions via email saved in Microsoft 24 Camp Smith Infantry School Challenges Troops Word or rich text format (rtf) along with high resolu- 25 Honor Guard Training Makes Better Soldiers tion digital (jpg) photos. Submission deadlines are January 15 (winter issue), April 15 (spring issue), July Air National Guard 15 (summer issue), and October 15 (fall issue). Send your submissions to: 26 New Commander of the 224th Air Defense Group 27 Four Airmen Deploy to Assist in Oregon Wildfire Guard Times 28 Officer Takes " Final Flight" after 33-year Career DMNA-MNPA 29 Airmen Compete for German Proficiency Badge 330 Old Niskayuna Road Latham, New York 12110-3514 New York Guard OFFICE (518) 786-4581 FAX (518) 786-4649 or [email protected] 30 NY Guard 89th Band Musicians Perform with Rainbow Division Band New York Naval Militia Complimentary or Back Issues of the Guard Times are available. Contact us at the address above or visit us 31 Militia Christens New 35 foot Landing Boat on the web for current news, photos or to download prior issues at www.dmna.ny.gov Spc. Joshua Yajcaji, assigned to Company B, 1-114th Infantry Regiment, takes aim while concealed at the start of infantry reclassification course 18-002's final field training exercise, which lasted 48 hours at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., Aug.