Army National Guard Helicopter Battalion Changes Commanders

Media Advisory

Related Media

New York Army National Guard Troops deploying from a 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment Blackhawk helicopter

LATHAM, NY (09/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Jeffery Baker, a Schenectady resident, takes command of the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter Battalion) during a traditional change of command ceremony here on Friday night.

WHO: Lt. Col. Jeff Baker, the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Mark Slusar, the outgoing commander, and the members of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation

WHAT: A traditional Change-of-Command Ceremony in which the battalion colors (flag) of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation will be transferred from Slusar to Baker, representing the transition of authority for the 350-Soldier aviation unit which has elements based at Albany International Airport and McArthur Airport at Ronkonkoma on Long Island.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday September 7, 2012

WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility #3 located behind Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters at 330 Old Niskayuna Road.

Members of the meeting wishing to cover this event must contact Capt. Henry Chandler at 317 919 8535 (cell) for access to this secure military facility.

Coverage Opportunities:

There will be an opportunity to interview both the incoming and outgoing commanders and Soldiers of the battalion. Video and still imagery opportunities include the traditional transfer of the battalion colors and soldiers in formation in a helicopter hanger.

BACKGROUND:

The Change of Command:

The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader.

The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle

3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment (Assault Helicopter):

The 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment operates 16 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Army Aviation Support Facility #1 at McArthur Airport on Long Island and Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at Albany International Airport in Latham.

The battalion's A and D Companies-the aviation maintenance company-- are located in Latham while Headquarters Company and B Company are based in Ronkonkoma. E Company, the forward support company of the battalion has elements located in Farmingdale and in Latham. The battalion's C Company-a third helicopter company which it receives when federally mobilized – is shared by the Connecticut Army National Guard and Maine Army National Guard.

The 3-142nd's most recent mobilization was in Iraq from August 2008 to the spring of 2009. The battalion deployed to southern Iraq and took control of an AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Company, and provided aviation support throughout the region supporting the 10th Mountain Division. Dubbed Task Force Jester, the team's aircrews logged 15,000 hours of flying time, conducted 1,645 general support missions, moved 47,745 passengers and transported 500 tons of cargo.

The battalion deployed to Bosnia in 2002-2003 and deployed to Honduras in support of missions there several times between 1998 and 2006. 3-142nd Aviation assets and aviators also responded to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and have flew missions in support of the state's response to Tropical Storms Lee and Irene in 2011.

Lt. Col. Jeffery Baker:

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Baker has served in the New York Army National Guard since 1990 as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter platoon leader, company commander, battalion staff officer and battalion executive officer. He served in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation in 2008 and 2009 as a staff officer and pilot in command, flying more than 200 hours in a combat environment.

Baker also deployed with the battalion to Bosnia in 2002 where he served as flight detachment commander supporting the Commander of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Baker has also led Soldiers during deployments to Iceland, Nicaragua the Army's Joint Readiness Training Center, and in two missions to Honduras. He has also flown missions to provide relief support following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, as well as during the 1998 Ice Storm in northern New York.

A native of Harrisville, NY, Baker holds a degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he received his commission through ROTC in 1990. He also holds a degree from the Albany College of Pharmacy.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Baker and his wife Lisa live in Rotterdam with their 2 children Noah and Gabrielle. In civilian life he is a pharmacist.

Lt. Col. Mark Slusar

Lt. Col. Mark Slusar has served as the commander of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment since December 2009.

Slusar's military career began in 1985 when he enlisted in the Army. He served in Korea for a year with the 524th Military Intelligence Battalion and then served until 1988 with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. He joined the New York Army National Guard in 1988 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through Officers Candidate School in 1990.

He served as an intelligence officer before becoming qualified as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot in 1995.

In 1998 he joined the Army National Guard's full-time Active Guard and Reserve Program as the battalion personnel officer in the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation. His other assignments have included Headquarters Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, detachment commander, Domestic Operations Plans Officer for Joint Force Headquarters and Deputy Director for Domestic Operations for the New York National Guard.

Slusar deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 3-142nd Aviation from June 2002 to May 2003 and lead a federally mobilized helicopter detachment during Operation Noble Eagle, the homeland security response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He has also deployed to Honduras.

Slusar holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from the State University of New York, Fredonia.

His awards include the Army Aviator Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

He and his wife Sandra live in East Chatham with their daughters Abigail and Camryn.

His next assignment is to deploy to Kuwait as a Base Defense Operations Center Chief of Operations.