Joint Task Force Empire Shield's primary goal is to detect, ... VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint Task Force Empire Shield's primary goal is to detect, ... VIEW ORIGINAL
J... VIEW ORIGINAL
NEW YORK - Following the bombings in lower Manhattan and New Jersey September 17-18, the New York National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield (JTF-ES) rapidly ramped up operations throughout the New York City area in a show of force designed to deter copycat attackers
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed the augmentation of the current task force personnel with up to 1,000 additional Soldiers and Airmen for state active duty, providing additional boots on the ground to assist first responders and law enforcement.
Airman and Soldiers from the New York National Guard who make up JTF-ES conducted roving patrols through various high-traffic locations, often working with the Port Authority Police Department and the New York Police Department.
The mission is a state one, with the Guard members serving as part of an interagency effort to bring state resources to New York City's critical transportation and infrastructure sites.
For Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the work can feel familiar.
"Since the bombing, it's been all hands on deck," said 1st Sgt. Celso Benites, "We've been working every day. Our presence should deter anything from happening. You stay alert, stay alive and look like a hard target....nobody will mess with you."
After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the state security task force has placed a visible military footprint on the ground around New York City, which include but are not limited to: the World Trade Center hub; Grand Central Station; LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports; the Port Authority Bus terminal; and various bridges and tunnels in the city.
The security force has been in place in varying size continuously since 9/11, with about 500 personnel conducting state active duty security missions since September 2014.
Based out of Fort Hamilton, an Army installation in Brooklyn, New York, JTF-ES is used as a tool to deter and detect terrorism. While not law enforcement, JTF-ES service members are utilized as extra eyes and ears in the city. Additionally, the Task Force has secondary duties as well, including civil support operations and disaster relief, including the unit's response during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
"Morale is high. Can't wait to get out there," said Sgt. 1st Class William Perez during one of their daily patrols. "I'm in the National Guard for a reason. I'm here to serve and respond."
For rank and file members, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
"People are a lot more appreciative of our presence," said Pfc. Dion Martin, who has been with the task force for three months. "They're a lot happier to see us."
Spc. Nick Austin, another soldier with the Empire Shield simply wanted to show that he was there for the city. "We need to show NYC that they're not defenseless; that they're not alone."
Related Links:
Fact sheet for Joint Task Force Empire Shield
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