LATHAM, N.Y. -- At the direction of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York Army and Air National Guard will mobilize and deploy 900 Soldiers and Airmen, and over 100 vehicles on Saturday, August 27, to support civil authorities on Long Island, New York City, and the Hudson Valley in response to Hurricane Irene.
If necessary, a total of 12,466 Airmen and Soldiers with more than 680 vehicles; 16 Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters; and 4 Ch-47 Chinook helicopters; along with 10 C-130 cargo aircraft and 6 HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters assigned to the Air National Guard are ready to respond if called upon.
"We want to thank the members of the Guard for their service and their sacrifice as they head out this morning for New York City and Long Island," Gov. Cuomo said.
The governor visited members of the 206th Military Police Company and the 109th Airlift Wing who assembled at New York National Guard headquarters here on Saturday, August 27, prior to moving to Long Island to wait out the storm.
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen began moving to Long Island, New York City, and the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill in the Hudson Valley from locations across the state Saturday morning. Convoys and buses left from the Albany area, Auburn, Utica, Syracuse and Queensbury and Airmen from western New York flew into the Hudson Valley.
Guardsman from locations outside the area were being deployed so that Guard members living in the expected hurricane landfall area could take care of their families. Many Guard members are also fire fighters, police officers, and public employees who will respond to the storm in their civilian capacity.
The plan the New York National Guard is executing at the direction of the governor calls for:
- 230 Soldiers and Airmen to station themselves with high-axle vehicles, and high-tech satellite communications equipment , and chain saws at the Farmingdale Armed Forces Reserve Center no later than Saturday evening. These troops will remain in place at the center to ride out the storm and then immediately respond to aid civil authorities as directed.
This task force will include:
- 120 Military Police Soldiers from the 206th Military Police Company in Latham, New York;
- 50 Transportation Soldiers from the 1427 Medium Truck Company in Queensbury New York;
- 30 Air National Guard members from the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia New York;
- 10 Soldiers assigned to the Signal Detachment at Joint Forces Headquarters in Latham who will operate high-tech satellite communications equipment known as the JISCC (Joint Incident Site Communications Capability);
- 20 Military Police Soldiers from the 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn, NY;
- Approximately 290 Soldiers will be stationed at Camp Smith near Peekskill and prepared to move to Long Island after the storm passes over and transportation routes are reopened.
This task force will include:
- 45 Military Police Soldiers from the 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn;
- 65 Military Police Soldiers from the 222nd Military Police Company in Auburn;
- 60 Transportation Soldiers from the 1569th Transportation Company in New Windsor;
- 120 Air National Guardsmen from three Air National Guard Wings: the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse; the 107th Airlift Wing at Niagara Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls; and the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburg;
- 225 Soldiers will be placed on duty augment the National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield in New York City, or to assist local governments in the lower Hudson Valley. These Soldiers will be based at the Harlem Armory in New York City and Camp Smith near Peekskill.
This task force will include:
- 75 Soldiers from C Company 1st Battalion 69th Infantry headquartered at Camp Smith;
- 75 members of the New York Air National Guard from bases across the state;
- 75 Soldiers from the 369th Support Brigade in New York City;
- An additional 140 Soldiers and Airmen will be on duty in Latham, and Camp Smith and on other locations to provide logistical support and command and control for the National Guard Task Force.
Related Links:
New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Website
Twitter List: Hurricane Irene Updates
Hurricane season arrives, requires preparation
Military bases prepare for Hurricane Irene
Obama, Panetta urge caution, preparedness for coming storm
North Carolina Guard, Emergency Management prepare for Hurricane Irene
Fact Files: Black Hawk helicopter
Fact Files: Chinook helicopter
Video: Governor Andrew Cuomo visits New York National Guard troops
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