Alexander Resident Mark Stryker Retires After 31 Years in Army Reserve and Army National Guard

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Col. Mark Stryker after his final flight as an Army Aviator on Sept. 14, 2012.

LATHAM, NY (10/17/2012)(readMedia)-- After 31-years and two wars, Alexander resident Mark Stryker, a Colonel in the New York Army National Guard, is ending his military service.

Stryker, who has commanded the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade since 2009, will retire following a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 20 in which Col. Albert Ricci will take over command of the battalion.

He is a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and served in Iraq in 2004/2005.

He is being awarded the Legion of Merit in recognition of his exceptional service in a variety of command positions of increasing responsibility.

In civilian life he is a pilot for the New York State Police. He and his wife Mary reside in Alexander with their three children.

Stryker enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1981 and served while also  participating in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at SUNY Oswego. He  was commissioned as second lieutenant in 1983 and  graduated with a BA from SUNY Oswego in 1986.

Stryker attended Army aviator training at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1984 and was assigned to the United States Army Reserve's 1209th United States Army Garrison in Mattydale, NY, as a platoon leader.

In 1990 and 1991 he deployed with the Army Reserve's Air Ambulance Company in support of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He served as platoon leader, operations officer and company commander.

In 1995 Stryker transferred to the New York Army National Guard and served in the 1st Battalion 142nd Attack Helicopter Battalion in Rochester as personnel officer. In 2004 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 1-142nd Corps Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Battalion and in 2005 he took command of the 1-142nd. In 2006 he assumed command of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion.

Stryker served as deputy commander of the 53rd Troop Command before taking over as commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in 2009.

His awards include The Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Iraq Campaign Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Aero Medical Evacuation Officers Course, the Aero Medical Evacuation Officers Basic and Advanced Courses and the Aviation Maintenance Managers Course .