New York National Guard mobilizes hundreds of troops for Hurricane Irene

Up to 101,000 National Guard troops are available to help East Coast residents facing Hurricane Irene. Here, agencies from across Maryland gather together in the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate efforts in preparing for adverse weather conditions expected due to the storm. (Maryland National Guard photo) (Released)
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LATHAM, N.Y. (8/26/11) – At the direction of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the New York Army and Air National Guard will mobilize and deploy 900 Soldiers and Airmen and over 100 vehicles on Saturday in response to Hurricane Irene to support civil authorities on Long Island, New York City and the Hudson Valley.

If necessary, 12,466 Airmen and Soldiers with more than 680 vehicles; 16 Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and four CH-47 Chinook helicopters; along with 10 C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft and six HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters assigned to the Air National Guard are ready to respond if called upon.

The plan the 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, N.Y.
• 50 Transportation Soldiers from the 1427 Medium Truck Company in Queensbury, N.Y.
• 30 Air National Guard members from the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, N.Y.
• 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, N.Y.

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, N.Y.
• 120 Air National Guardsmen from three Air National Guard Wings: the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y.; the 107th Airlift Wing at Niagara Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburg, N.Y.

About 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, N.Y.

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.

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